Let darkness and the deepest shadow claim it; let a cloud settle on it; let whatever blackens the day terrify it!

Indeed, let that night be barren; let no shout of joy penetrate it!

because it did not shut the doors of my mother's womb on me, nor did it hide trouble from my eyes!

Like a servant longing for the evening shadow, and like a hired man looking for his wages,

For we were born yesterday and do not have knowledge, since our days on earth are but a shadow.

before I depart, never to return, to the land of darkness and the deepest shadow,

to the land of utter darkness, like the deepest darkness, and the deepest shadow and disorder, where even the light is like darkness."

He grows up like a flower and then withers away; he flees like a shadow, and does not remain.

Like a vine he will let his sour grapes fall, and like an olive tree he will shed his blossoms.

My eyes have grown dim with grief; my whole frame is but a shadow.

In the dark the robber breaks into houses, but by day they shut themselves in; they do not know the light.

They were banished from the community -- people shouted at them like they would shout at thieves --

"Who shut up the sea with doors when it burst forth, coming out of the womb,

The lotus trees conceal it in their shadow; the poplars by the stream conceal it.

Its back has rows of shields, shut up closely together as with a seal;

Out of its mouth go flames, sparks of fire shoot forth!