Thematic Bible: The brevity of life
Thematic Bible
Select readings » The brevity of life
Man born of woman is short of days and full of trouble. He blossoms like a flower, then withers; he flees like a shadow and does not last. Do You really take notice of one like this? Will You bring me into judgment against You? read more.
Who can produce something pure from what is impure? No one! Since man's days are determined and the number of his months depends on You, and [since] You have set limits he cannot pass, look away from him and let him rest so that he can enjoy his day like a hired hand. There is hope for a tree: If it is cut down, it will sprout again, and its shoots will not die. If its roots grow old in the ground and its stump starts to die in the soil, the smell of water makes it thrive and produce twigs like a sapling. But a man dies and fades away; he breathes his last-where is he?
Who can produce something pure from what is impure? No one! Since man's days are determined and the number of his months depends on You, and [since] You have set limits he cannot pass, look away from him and let him rest so that he can enjoy his day like a hired hand. There is hope for a tree: If it is cut down, it will sprout again, and its shoots will not die. If its roots grow old in the ground and its stump starts to die in the soil, the smell of water makes it thrive and produce twigs like a sapling. But a man dies and fades away; he breathes his last-where is he?