¹⁶ I despise my life;^(A) I would not live forever.^(B)
    Let me alone;^(C) my days have no meaning.^(D)

⁵ You have made my days^(A) a mere handbreadth;
    the span of my years is as nothing before you.
Everyone is but a breath,^(B)
    even those who seem secure.^[a]

¹⁷ Before him all the nations^(A) are as nothing;^(B)
    they are regarded by him as worthless
    and less than nothing.^(C)