Chapter 39 2 I was dumb with silence, I held my peace, even from good; and my sorrow was stirred.3 My heart was hot within me, while I was musing the fire burned: then spake I 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.5 Behold, thou hast made my days as an handbreadth; and mine age is as nothing before thee: verily every man at his best state is altogether vanity. Selah.6 Surely every man walketh in a vain shew: surely they are disquieted in vain: he heapeth up riches, and knoweth not who shall gather them.7 And now, Lord, what wait I for? my hope is in thee.8 Deliver me from all my transgressions: make me not the reproach of the foolish.9 I was dumb, I opened not my mouth; because thou didst it.10 Remove thy stroke away from me: I am consumed by the blow of thine hand.11 When thou with rebukes dost correct man for iniquity, thou makest his beauty to consume 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.13 O spare me, that I may recover strength, before I go hence, and be no more.
Chapter 40 1 I waited patiently for the LORD; and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry.2 He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings.3 And he hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God: many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in the LORD.4 Blessed is that man that maketh the LORD his trust, and respecteth not the proud, nor such as turn aside to lies.5 Many, O LORD my God, are thy wonderful works which thou hast done, and thy thoughts which are to us-ward: they cannot be reckoned up in order unto thee: if I would declare and speak of them, they are more than can be numbered.6 Sacrifice and offering thou didst not desire; mine ears hast thou opened: burnt offering and sin offering hast thou not required.7 Then said I, Lo, I come: in the volume of the book it is written of me,8 I delight to do thy will, O my God: yea, thy law is within my heart.