I am merely a stranger visiting your home...

A prayer for forgiveness

1 I told myself, “I'll be careful not to sin by what I say, and I'll muzzle my mouth when evil people are near.”

2 I kept completely silent, but it did no good, but … good: One possible meaning for the difficult Hebrew text. and I suffered even more.

3 I felt a fire burning inside, and the more I thought, the more it burnt, until at last I said:

4 “Please, LORD, show me my future. Will I soon be gone?

5 You made my life short, so brief that the time means nothing to you.

“Human life is but a breath, 6 and it disappears like a shadow.

Our struggles are senseless; we store up more and more, without ever knowing who will get it all.

7 “What am I waiting for? I depend on you, Lord!

8 Save me from my sins. Don't let fools sneer at me.

9 You treated me like this, and I kept silent, not saying a word.

10 “Won't you stop punishing me? You have worn me down.

11 You punish us severely because of our sins. 

Like a moth, you destroy what we treasure most. We are as frail as a breath.

12 “Listen, LORD, to my prayer! My eyes are flooded with tears, as I pray to you.

I am merely a stranger visiting your home as my ancestors did. 

13 Stop being angry with me and let me smile again before I am dead and gone.”