8. Though its roots have grown old in the earthand its stump decays,
9. at the scent of water it will budand sprout again like a new seedling.
10. “But when people die, their strength is gone.They breathe their last, and then where are they?
11. As water evaporates from a lakeand a river disappears in drought,
12. people are laid to rest and do not rise again.Until the heavens are no more, they will not wake upnor be roused from their sleep.
13. “I wish you would hide me in the graveand forget me there until your anger has passed.But mark your calendar to think of me again!
14. Can the dead live again?If so, this would give me hope through all my years of struggle,and I would eagerly await the release of death.
15. You would call and I would answer,and you would yearn for me, your handiwork.
16. For then you would guard my steps,instead of watching for my sins.
17. My sins would be sealed in a pouch,and you would cover my guilt.
18. “But instead, as mountains fall and crumbleand as rocks fall from a cliff,
19. as water wears away the stonesand floods wash away the soil,so you destroy people’s hope.