²⁰ Are not my few days^(A) almost over?^(B)
    Turn away from me^(C) so I can have a moment’s joy^(D)

14 “Mortals, born of woman,^(A)
    are of few days^(B) and full of trouble.^(C)

¹³ Look away from me, that I may enjoy life again
    before I depart and am no more.”^(A)

¹⁵ The life of mortals is like grass,^(A)
    they flourish like a flower^(B) of the field;
¹⁶ the wind blows^(C) over it and it is gone,
    and its place^(D) remembers it no more.

⁵ You have made my days^(A) a mere handbreadth;
    the span of my years is as nothing before you.
Everyone is but a breath,^(B)
    even those who seem secure.^[a]

²¹ Withdraw your hand^(A) far from me,
    and stop frightening me with your terrors.^(B)

²⁵ “My days are swifter than a runner;^(A)
    they fly away without a glimpse of joy.^(B)
26 They skim past^(C) like boats of papyrus,^(D)
    like eagles swooping down on their prey.^(E)

⁹ for we were born only yesterday and know nothing,^(A)
    and our days on earth are but a shadow.^(B)

¹⁶ I despise my life;^(A) I would not live forever.^(B)
    Let me alone;^(C) my days have no meaning.^(D)

¹⁷ “What is mankind that you make so much of them,
    that you give them so much attention,^(E)
18 that you examine them every morning^(F)
    and test them^(G) every moment?^(H)
19 Will you never look away from me,^(I)
    or let me alone even for an instant?^(J)
20 If I have sinned, what have I done to you,^(K)
    you who see everything we do?
Why have you made me your target?^(L)
    Have I become a burden to you?^[a](M)
21 Why do you not pardon my offenses
    and forgive my sins?^(N)
For I will soon lie down in the dust;^(O)
    you will search for me, but I will be no more.”^(P)