Job 14

Job Speaks of the Finality of Death

1“1Man, who is born of woman, Is 2short-lived and 3full of turmoil.24Like a flower he comes forth and withers. He also flees like 5a shadow and does not remain.3You also 6open Your eyes on him And 7bring 8him into judgment with Yourself.49Who can make the clean out of the unclean? No one!5Since his days are determined, The 10number of his months is with You; And his limits You have 11set so that he cannot pass.612Turn Your gaze from him that he may 13rest, Until he 14fulfills his day like a hired man.

7“For there is hope for a tree, When it is cut down, that it will sprout again, And its shoots will not 15fail.8Though its roots grow old in the ground And its stump dies in the dry soil,9At the scent of water it will flourish And put forth sprigs like a plant.10But 16man dies and lies prostrate. Man 17expires, and where is he?11As 18water 19evaporates from the sea, And a river becomes parched and dried up,12So 20man lies down and does not rise. Until the heavens are no longer, 21He will not awake nor be aroused out of 22his sleep.

13“Oh that You would hide me in 23Sheol, That You would conceal me 24until Your wrath returns to You, That You would set a limit for me and remember me!14If a man dies, will he live again? All the days of my struggle I will wait Until my change comes.15You will call, and I will answer You; You will long for 25the work of Your hands.16For now You 26number my steps, You do not 27observe my sin.17My transgression is 28sealed up in a bag, And You 29wrap up my iniquity.

18“But the falling mountain 30crumbles away, And the rock moves from its place;19Water wears away stones, Its torrents wash away the dust of the earth; So You 31destroy man’s hope.20You forever overpower him and he 32departs; You change his appearance and send him away.21His sons achieve honor, but 33he does not know it; Or they become insignificant, but he does not perceive it.22But his 34body pains him, And he mourns only for himself.”