But some men from Asher, Manasseh, and Zebulun humbled themselves and came to Jerusalem.

The men of Bethlehem ¹  and Netophah, 188;

“Does not humanity have hard service ¹  on earth? Are not their days also like the days of a hired man? ² 

“What is mankind ¹  that you make so much of them, ²  and that you pay attention ³  to them?

“Do you have eyes of flesh, ¹  or do you see ²  as a human being sees? ³ 

Are your days like the days of a mortal, or your years like the years ¹  of a mortal,

What is man that he should be pure, or one born of woman, that he should be righteous?

how much less a mortal man, who is but a maggot ¹  – a son of man, who is only a worm!”

Mankind does not know its place; ¹  it cannot be found in the land of the living.

But it is a spirit in people, the breath ¹  of the Almighty, that makes them understand.

Men of understanding say to me – any wise man listening to me says –

All humanity has seen it; people gaze on it from afar.

Therefore people fear him, for he does not regard all the wise in heart.” ¹ 

Deliver me from evildoers! ¹  Rescue me from violent men! ² 

You allowed men to ride over our heads; we passed through fire and water, but you brought us out into a wide open place. ¹ 

They are immune to the trouble common to men; they do not suffer as other men do. ¹ 

You make mankind return ¹  to the dust, ²  and say, “Return, O people!”

If only ¹  you would kill the wicked, O God! Get away from me, you violent men! ² 

Bloodthirsty people ¹  hate someone with integrity; ²  as for the upright, they seek his life. ³ 

Those who are champions ¹  at drinking wine are as good as dead, ²  who display great courage when mixing strong drinks.