I said: “I will guard my ways, that I may not sin with my tongue, I will bridle my mouth when the wicked in front of me wish I would speak evils with them.” Then I was dumb and silent, I held my peace to no avail, my distress grew worse, my heart became hot within me. As I mused, the fire burned, then I spoke with my tongue: “YHWH, Let me know my end and what is the measure of my days, Let me know how fleeting my life is!” Behold, You Have Made my days a few handbreadths and my lifetime is as nothing in Your Sight. Surely everyone stands as a mere breath! Surely we go about as shadows! Surely for naught are we in turmoil, heaping up and knowing not who will inherit! And now O Lord, for what do I wait? My only hope is in You. Deliver me from all my transgressions. Make me not the scorn of any fool! I am as if dumb, I do not open my mouth, for It Is You Who Has Done it. Now Remove Your Stroke From me for I am spent by the Blows Of Your Hand. When You Do Chasten us with rebukes for sin, You Do Consume like a moth what is dear to us, surely everyone is a mere breath! Hear my Prayer, O YHWH and Give Ear To my cry, be not aloof from my tears! For I am Your Passing Guest, a sojourner, like all my fathers. So Please Look Away From me, his sins/weaknesses that I may know peace, before I depart and am here no more.”
