[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 that 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 what darkens the day 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 days condemn it, those who are ready to rouse 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 rest; they do not hear a taskmaster's voice. [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, [22] who are filled with much joy and are glad when they reach the grave? [23] Why is life given to a man whose path is hidden, whom God has hedged in? [24] I sigh when food is put before me, and my groans pour out like water. [25] For the thing I feared has overtaken me, and what I dreaded has happened to me. [26] I cannot relax or be calm; I have no rest, for turmoil has come.
