I said, I will take heed to my ways  *

that I offend not in my tongue.

I will keep my mouth as it were with a bridle *

while the ungodly is in my sight.

I held my tongue, and spake nothing *

I kept silence, yea, even from good words; but it was pain and grief to me.

My heart was hot within me, and while I was thus musing the fire kindled *

and at the last I spake with my tongue;

Lord, let me know mine end, and the number of my days *

that I may be certified how long I have to live.

Behold, thou hast made my days as it were a span long *

and mine age is even as nothing in respect of thee; and verily every man living is altogether vanity.

For man walketh in a vain shadow, and disquieteth himself in vain *

he heapeth up riches, and cannot tell who shall gather them.

And now, Lord, what is my hope *

truly my hope is even in thee.

Deliver me from all mine offences *

and make me not a rebuke unto the foolish.

I became dumb, and opened not my mouth *

for it was thy doing.

Take thy plague away from me *

I am even consumed by the means of thy heavy hand.

When thou with rebukes dost chasten man for sin, thou makest his beauty to consume away, like as it were a moth fretting a garment *

every man therefore is but vanity.

Hear my prayer, O Lord, and with thine ears consider my calling *

hold not thy peace at my tears.

For I am a stranger with thee *

and a sojourner, as all my fathers were.

O spare me a little, that I may recover my strength *

before I go hence, and be no more seen.

Blessed is he that considereth the poor and needy  *

the Lord shall deliver him in the time of trouble.

The Lord preserve him, and keep him alive, that he may be blessed upon earth *

and deliver not thou him into the will of his enemies.

The Lord comfort him, when he lieth sick upon his bed *

make thou all his bed in his sickness.

I said, Lord, be merciful unto me *

heal my soul, for I have sinned against thee.

Mine enemies speak evil of me *

When shall he die, and his name perish?

And if he come to see me, he speaketh vanity *

and his heart conceiveth falsehood within himself, and when he cometh forth he telleth it.

All mine enemies whisper together against me *

even against me do they imagine this evil.

Let the sentence of guiltiness proceed against him *

and now that he lieth, let him rise up no more.

Yea, even mine own familiar friend, whom I trusted *

who did also eat of my bread, hath laid great wait for me.

But be thou merciful unto me, O Lord *

raise thou me up again, and I shall reward them.

By this I know thou favourest me *

that mine enemy doth not triumph against me.

And when I am in my health, thou upholdest me *

and shalt set me before thy face for ever.

Blessed be the Lord God of Israel *

world without end. Amen.