1. Behold, this world besieges you,
In it you will find only humiliation and insignificance.

2. And you have no rest in it, if you are sensible,
Nor will you find stability in it however hard you try.

3. Its living is but a few short nights,
Fleeting days that quickly pass.

4. You have always been driven to decay,
Swept by nights and days.

5. Empty-handed you came into this world
And empty-handed you will leave it however much you gathered.