Job 3:1–26

Job’s Opening Speech

3 After this, Job began to speak and cursed the day he was born. 2 He said:

3 May the day I was born perish,

and the night when they said,

“A boy is conceived.” r

4 If only that day had turned to darkness!

May God above not care about it,

or light shine on it.

5 May darkness and gloom s reclaim it,

and a cloud settle over it.

May an eclipse of the sun t terrify it.

6 If only darkness had taken that night away!

May it not appear u among the days of the year

or be listed in the calendar. v

7 Yes, may that night be barren;

may no joyful shout w be heard in it.

8 Let those who curse certain days

cast a spell x on it,

those who are skilled in rousing * Leviathan. y

9 May its morning stars grow dark.

May it wait for daylight but have none;

may it not see the breaking z of dawn.

10 For that night did not shut

the doors of my mother’s womb,

and hide sorrow from my eyes.

11 Why was I not stillborn;

why didn’t I die as I came from the womb? a

12 Why did the knees receive me,

and why were there breasts for me to nurse? b

13 Now I would certainly be lying down in peace;

I would be asleep. c

Then I would be at rest d

14 with the kings and counselors e of the earth,

who rebuilt ruined cities for themselves,

15 or with princes who had gold,

who filled their houses f with silver.

16 Or why was I not hidden like a miscarried child, g

like infants who never see daylight?

17 There the wicked h cease to make trouble,

and there the weary find rest.

18 The captives are completely at ease; i

they do not hear the voice of their oppressor. j

19 Both small and great are there,

and the slave is set free from his master. k

20 Why is light given to one burdened with grief,

and life to those whose existence is bitter, l

21 who wait for death, m but it does not come,

and search for it more than for hidden treasure,

22 who are filled with much joy

and are glad when they reach the grave? n

23 Why is life given to a man whose path is hidden, o

whom God has hedged in?

24 I sigh when food p is put before me, q

and my groans pour out like water. r

25 For the thing I feared has overtaken me,

and what I dreaded has happened to me. s

26 I cannot relax or be still;

I have no rest, t for trouble comes.