⁷ 
“For there is hope for a tree,
If it is cut down, that it will sprout again,
And that the shoots of it will not cease nor fail, [but there is no such hope for man].
⁸ 
“Though its roots grow old in the earth
And its stump dies in the dry soil,
⁹ 
Yet at the scent of water [the stump of the tree] will flourish
And bring forth sprigs and shoots like a seedling.
¹⁰ 
“But [the brave, strong] man must die and lie face down;
Man breathes his last, and where is he?
¹¹ 
“As water evaporates from the sea,
And a river drains and dries up,
¹² 
So man lies down and does not rise [again].
Until the heavens are no longer,
The dead will not awake nor be raised from their sleep.

¹³ 
“Oh, that You would hide me in Sheol (the nether world, the place of the dead),
That You would conceal me until Your wrath is past,
That You would set a definite time and then remember me [and in Your lovingkindness imprint me on your heart]!
¹⁴ 
“If a man dies, will he live again?
I will wait all the days of my struggle
Until my change and release will come.^(A)
15 
“[Then] You will call, and I will answer You;
You will long for [me] the work of Your hands.