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Job Curses His Birth

After seven days Job spoke. He cursed the day he had been born. Job said:

“Let the day I was born be destroyed.
    And destroy the night when it was said, ‘A boy is born!’
Let that day turn to darkness.
    Let God not even care about it.
    Don’t let light shine on that day.
Let darkness and gloom have that day.
    Let a cloud hide that day.
    Let darkness cover its light.
Let thick darkness capture that night.
    Don’t count it among the days of the year.
    Don’t put it in any of the months.
Let that night be empty.
    Let no shout of joy be heard in it.
Let the people who curse days curse that day.
    They know how to wake up the sea monster Leviathan.
Let that day’s morning stars become dark.
    Let it wait for daylight, but don’t let it come.
    Don’t let it see the first light of dawn.
10 This is because it allowed me to be born.
    That day did not hide trouble from my eyes.

11 “Why didn’t I die as soon as I was born?
    Why didn’t I die when I came out of the womb?
12 Why did my mother’s knees receive me?
    Why did my mother’s breasts feed me?
13 If they had not been there, I would be lying dead in peace.
    I would be asleep and at rest.
14 I would be asleep with kings and wise men of the earth.
    They built places for themselves that are now ruined.
15 I would be asleep with rulers who had gold.
    They filled their houses with silver!
16 Or why was I not buried like a child born dead?
    I wish I were like a baby who never saw the light of day.
17 In the grave the wicked stop causing trouble.
    And people who are tired are at rest.
18 In the grave there is rest for the captives.
    They no longer hear the shout of the slave driver.
19 People great and small are in the grave.
    And the slave is freed from his master.

20 “Why is life given to those who are in misery?
    Why is it given to those who are so unhappy?
21 Some people want to die, but death does not come.
    They search for death more than for hidden treasure.
22 They are very happy
    when they get to the grave.
23 Life shouldn’t be given to a man who doesn’t know what will happen to him.
    It shouldn’t be given to a man who feels trapped by God.
24 I make sad sounds as I eat.
    My groans pour out like water.
25 The thing I was afraid of has happened to me.
    And the thing I dreaded has happened.
26 I have no peace. I have no quietness.
    I have no rest. I only have trouble.”

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