The Inevitability of Death

14:7 “But there is hope for18 a tree:19

If it is cut down, it will sprout again,

and its new shoots will not fail.

14:8 Although its roots may grow old20 in the ground

and its stump begins to die21 in the soil,22

14:9 at the scent23 of water it will flourish24

and put forth25 shoots like a new plant.

14:10 But man26 dies and is powerless;27

he expires—and where is he?28

14:11 As29 water disappears from the sea,30

or a river drains away and dries up,

14:12 so man lies down and does not rise;

until the heavens are no more,31

they32 will not awake

nor arise from their sleep.