Job’s Opening Speech

1After this, Job began to speak and cursed the day he was born. 2He said:

3May the day I was born perish,

and the night when they said,

“A boy is conceived.” a

4If only that day had turned to darkness!

May God above not care about it,

or light shine on it.

5May darkness and gloom b reclaim it,

and a cloud settle over it.

May an eclipse of the sun c terrify it.

6If only darkness had taken that night away!

May it not appear d among the days of the year

or be listed in the calendar. e

7Yes, may that night be barren;

may no joyful shout f be heard in it.

8Let those who curse certain days

cast a spell g on it,

those who are skilled in rousing ^•Leviathan. h

9May its morning stars grow dark.

May it wait for daylight but have none;

may it not see the breaking i of dawn.

10For that night did not shut

the doors of my mother’s womb,

and hide sorrow from my eyes.

11Why was I not stillborn;

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

12Why did the knees receive me,

and why were there breasts for me to nurse? k

13Now I would certainly be lying down in peace;

I would be asleep. l

Then I would be at rest m

14with the kings and counselors n of the earth,

who rebuilt ruined cities for themselves,

15or with princes who had gold,

who filled their houses o with silver.

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

like infants who never see daylight?

17There the wicked q cease to make trouble,

and there the weary find rest.

18The captives are completely at ease; r

they do not hear the voice of their oppressor. s

19Both small and great are there,

and the slave is set free from his master. t

20Why is light given to one burdened with grief,

and life to those whose existence is bitter, u

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

and search for it more than for hidden treasure,

22who are filled with much joy

and are glad when they reach the grave? w

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

whom God has hedged in?

24I sigh when food y is put before me, z

and my groans pour out like water. aa

25For the thing I feared has overtaken me,

and what I dreaded has happened to me. ab

26I cannot relax or be still;

I have no rest, ac for trouble comes.