⁴ what is mankind that you are mindful of them,
    human beings that you care for them?^[a](A)

³ Lord, what are human beings^(A) that you care for them,
    mere mortals that you think of them?
⁴ They are like a breath;^(B)
    their days are like a fleeting shadow.^(C)

¹⁵ Surely the nations are like a drop in a bucket;
    they are regarded as dust on the scales;^(A)
    he weighs the islands as though they were fine dust.^(B)

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