| 1 | Unto the end. For Jeduthun himself. A Canticle of David. |
| 2 | I said, "I will keep to my ways, so that I will not offend with my tongue." I posted a guard at my mouth, when a sinner took up a position against me. |
| 3 | I was silenced and humbled, and I was quiet before good things, and my sorrow was renewed. |
| 4 | My heart grew hot within me, and, during my meditation, a fire would flare up. |
| 5 | I spoke with my tongue, "O Lord, make me know my end, and what the number of my days will be, so that I may know what is lacking to me." |
| 6 | Behold, you have made my days measurable, and, before you, my substance is as nothing. Yet truly, all things are vanity: every living man. |
| 7 | So then, truly man passes by like an image; even so, he is disquieted in vain. He stores up, and he knows not for whom he will gather these things. |
| 8 | And now, what is it that awaits me? Is it not the Lord? And my substance is with you. |
| 9 | Rescue me from all my iniquities. You have handed me over as reproach to the foolish. |
| 10 | I was silenced, and I did not open my mouth, because it was you who acted. |
| 11 | Remove your scourges from me. |
| 12 | I fall short at corrections from the strength of your hand. For you have chastised man for iniquity. And you have made his soul shrink away like a spider. Nevertheless, it is in vain that any man be disquieted. |
| 13 | O Lord, heed my prayer and my supplication. Pay attention to my tears. Do not be silent. For I am a newcomer with you, and a sojourner, just as all my fathers were. |
| 14 | Forgive me, so that I may be refreshed, before I will go forth and be no more. |
