The Confession of a Sufferer+

1I said, “I will be careful about what I do

and will not let my tongue make me sin;

I will not say anything

while evil people are near.”

2I kept quiet, not saying a word,

not even about anything good!

But my suffering only grew worse,

3and I was overcome with anxiety.

The more I thought, the more troubled I became;

I could not keep from asking:

4“Lord, how long will I live?

When will I die?

Tell me how soon my life will end.”

5How short you have made my life!

In your sight my lifetime seems nothing.

Indeed every living being is no more than a puff of wind,

6no more than a shadow.

All we do is for nothing;

we gather wealth, but don't know who will get it.

7What, then, can I hope for, Lord?

I put my hope in you.

8Save me from all my sins,

and don't let fools make fun of me.

9I will keep quiet, I will not say a word,

for you are the one who made me suffer like this.

10Don't punish me any more!

I am about to die from your blows.

11You punish our sins by your rebukes,

and like a moth you destroy what we love.

Indeed we are no more than a puff of wind!

12Hear my prayer, Lord,

and listen to my cry;

come to my aid when I weep.

Like all my ancestors

I am only your guest for a little while.

13Leave me alone so that I may have some happiness

before I go away and am no more.