Job 3:1-13 ▼

1 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.” 

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  reclaim  it, and a cloud settle over  it. May an eclipse of the sun   terrify  it.

6 If only darkness had taken that  night  away! May it not appear  among  the days of the year or be listed in  the calendar . 

7 Yes, may that  night be  barren; may no joyful shout  be heard in  it.

8 Let those who curse certain days cast a spell  on it, those who are skilled in rousing  ^•Leviathan. 

9 May its morning stars grow dark. May it wait for  daylight but  have none; may it not see the breaking  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? 

12 Why did the knees receive  me, and why were there breasts for me to nurse? 

13 Now I would certainly be lying down in peace; I would be asleep.  Then I would be at rest