Chapter 38

  Unto the end, for Idithun himself, a canticle of David.  

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  I said: I will take heed to my ways : that I sin not with my tongue. I have set guard to my mouth, when the sinner stood against me.  

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  I was dumb, and was humbled, and kept silence from good things : and my sorrow was renewed.  

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  My heart grew hot within me : and in my meditation a fire shall flame out.  

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  I spoke with my tongue : O Lord, make me know my end. And what is the number of my days : that I may know what is wanting to me.  

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  Behold thou hast made my days measurable : and my substance is as nothing before thee. And indeed all things are vanity : every man living.  

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  Surely man passeth as an image : yea, and he is disquieted in vain. He storeth up : and he knoweth not for whom he shall gather these things.  

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  And now what is my hope? is it not the Lord? and my substance is with thee.  

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  Deliver thou me from all my iniquities : thou hast made me a reproach to the fool.  

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  I was dumb, and I opened not my mouth, because thou hast done it.  

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  Remove thy scourges from me. The strength of thy hand hath made me faint in rebukes:  

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  thou hast corrected man for iniquity. And thou hast made his soul to waste away like a spider : surely in vain is any man disquieted.  

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  Hear my prayer, O Lord, and my supplication : give ear to my tears. Be not silent : for I am a stranger with thee, and a sojourner as all my fathers were.  

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  O forgive me, that I may be refreshed, before I go hence, and be no more.  

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