Job 3
Job’s Opening Speech
1After this, Job began to speak and cursed the day he was born.23He said:45May the day I was born perish, and the night that said, “A boy is conceived.”6
7If only that day had turned to darkness! May God above not care about it, or light shine on it.8
9May darkness and gloom reclaim it, and a cloud settle over it. May what darkens the day terrify it.10
11If only darkness had taken that night away! May it not appear among the days of the year or be listed in the calendar.12
13Yes, may that night be barren; may no joyful shout be heard in it.14
15Let those who curse days condemn it, those who are ready to rouse Leviathan.16
17May its morning stars grow dark. May it wait for daylight but have none; may it not see the breaking of dawn.18
19For that night did not shut the doors of my mother’s womb, and hide sorrow from my eyes.20
21Why was I not stillborn; why didn’t I die as I came from the womb?22
23Why did the knees receive me, and why were there breasts for me to nurse?24
25Now I would certainly be lying down in peace; I would be asleep. Then I would be at rest26
27with the kings and counselors of the earth, who rebuilt ruined cities for themselves,28
29or with princes who had gold, who filled their houses with silver.30
31Or why was I not hidden like a miscarried child, like infants who never see daylight?32
33There the wicked cease to make trouble, and there the weary find rest.34
35The captives are completely at rest; they do not hear a taskmaster’s voice.36
37Both small and great are there, and the slave is set free from his master.38
39Why is light given to one burdened with grief, and life to those whose existence is bitter,40
41who wait for death, but it does not come, and search for it more than for hidden treasure,42
43who are filled with much joy and are glad when they reach the grave?44
45Why is life given to a man whose path is hidden, whom God has hedged in?46
47I sigh when food is put before me, and my groans pour out like water.48
49For the thing I feared has overtaken me, and what I dreaded has happened to me.50
51I cannot relax or be calm; I have no rest, for turmoil has come.52