⁵ You have made my days^(A) a mere handbreadth;
    the span of my years is as nothing before you.
Everyone is but a breath,^(B)
    even those who seem secure.^[a]

⁶ “Surely everyone goes around^(C) like a mere phantom;^(D)
    in vain they rush about,^(E) heaping up wealth^(F)
    without knowing whose it will finally be.^(G)

⁷ “But now, Lord, what do I look for?
    My hope is in you.^(H)
8 Save me^(I) from all my transgressions;^(J)
    do not make me the scorn^(K) of fools.
⁹ I was silent;^(L) I would not open my mouth,^(M)
    for you are the one who has done this.^(N)
10 Remove your scourge from me;
    I am overcome by the blow^(O) of your hand.^(P)
11 When you rebuke^(Q) and discipline^(R) anyone for their sin,
    you consume^(S) their wealth like a moth^(T)—
    surely everyone is but a breath.^(U)

¹² “Hear my prayer, Lord,
    listen to my cry for help;^(V)
    do not be deaf^(W) to my weeping.^(X)
I dwell with you as a foreigner,^(Y)
    a stranger,^(Z) as all my ancestors were.^(AA)
13 Look away from me, that I may enjoy life again
    before I depart and am no more.”^(AB)

² “Meaningless! Meaningless!”
    says the Teacher.
“Utterly meaningless!
    Everything is meaningless.”^(A)