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¹ (38-1) <Unto the end, for Idithun himself, a canticle of David.> (38-2) I said: I will take heed to my ways: that I sin not with my tongue. I have set a guard to my mouth, when the sinner stood against me.² (38-3) I was dumb, and was humbled, and kept silence from good things: and my sorrow was renewed.³ (38-4) My heart grew hot within me: and in my meditation a fire shall flame out.⁴ (38-5) 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.⁵ (38-6) Behold thou hast made my days measurable. and my substance is as nothing before thee. And indeed all things are vanity: every man living.⁶ (38-7) 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.

⁷ (38-8) And now what is my hope? is it not the Lord? and my substance is with thee.⁸ (38-9) Deliver thou me from all my iniquities: thou hast made me a reproach to the fool.⁹ (38-10) I was dumb, and I opened not my mouth, because thou hast done it.¹⁰ (38-11) Remove thy scourges from me. The strength of thy hand hath made me faint in rebukes:¹¹ (38-12) 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.¹² (38-13) Hear my prayer, O Lord, and my supplication: give ear to my tears. Be no silent: for I am a stranger with thee, and a sojourner as all my fathers were.¹³ (38-14) O forgive me, that I may be refreshed, before I go hence, and be no more.