Job 3:1-26 ICB

[1] After seven days Job spoke. He cursed the day he had been born. [2] Job said: [3] "Let the day I was born be destroyed. And destroy the night when it was said, 'A boy is born!' [4] Let that day turn to darkness. Let God not even care about it. Don't let light shine on that day. [5] Let darkness and gloom have that day. Let a cloud hide that day. Let darkness cover its light. [6] 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. [7] Let that night be empty. Let no shout of joy be heard in it. [8] Let the people who curse days curse that day. They know how to wake up the sea monster Leviathan. [9] 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."