Am I a sea, or a sea-beast, that you put a watch over me?

Put the question now to the past generations, and give attention to what has been searched out by their fathers:

See, he goes past me and I see him not: he goes on before, but I have no knowledge of him.

My days go quicker than a post-runner: they go in flight, they see no good.

If his days are ordered, and you have knowledge of the number of his months, having given him a fixed limit past which he may not go;

If only you would keep me safe in the underworld, putting me in a secret place till your wrath is past, giving me a fixed time when I might come to your memory again!

My days are past, my purposes are broken off, even the desires of my heart.

Gold and glass are not equal to it in price, and it may not be exchanged for jewels of the best gold.

The topaz of Ethiopia is not equal to it, and it may not be valued with the best gold.

If only I might again be as I was in the months which are past, in the days when God was watching over me!

If I made gold my hope, or if I ever said to the best gold, I have put my faith in you;

Who has let the ass of the fields go free? or made loose the bands of the loud-voiced beast?

See now the Great Beast, whom I made, even as I made you; he takes grass for food, like the ox.