1<> I said, "I will take heed of my ways, that I sin not with my tongue; I will keep my mouth with a bridle while the wicked is before me."
2I was dumb with silence; I held my peace, even from good, and my sorrow was stirred.
3My heart was hot within me; while I was musing, the fire burned. Then I spoke with my tongue:
4"LORD, make me to know mine end, and the measure of my days, what it is, that I may know how frail I am.
5Behold, Thou hast made my days as a handbreadth, and mine age is as nothing before Thee; verily every man in his best state is altogether vanity. Selah
6"Surely every man walketh in a vain show; surely they are disquieted in vain; he heapeth up riches, and knoweth not who shall gather them.
7"And now, Lord, for what do I wait? My hope is in Thee.
8Deliver me from all my transgressions; make me not the reproach of the foolish.
9I was dumb, I opened not my mouth, because Thou didst it.
10Remove Thy stroke away from me; I am consumed by the blow of Thine hand.
11When with rebukes Thou dost correct man for iniquity, Thou makest his beauty to be consumed away like a moth; surely every man is vanity. Selah
12"Hear my prayer, O LORD, and give ear unto my cry; hold not Thy peace at my tears; for I am a stranger with Thee and a sojourner, as all my fathers were.
13O spare me, that I may recover strength before I go hence and am no more."