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
14 with the kings and counselors of the earth, who rebuilt ruined cities for themselves,
15 or with princes who had gold, who filled their houses with silver.
16 Or why was I not hidden like a miscarried child, like infants who never see daylight?
17 There the wicked cease to make trouble, and there the weary find rest.
18 The captives are completely at ease; they do not hear the voice of their oppressor.
19 Both small and great are there, and the slave is set free from his master.
20 Why is light given to one burdened with grief, and life to those whose existence is bitter,
21 who wait for death, but it does not come, and search for it more than for hidden treasure,
