Job 3

Job’s Opening Speech

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."  * 3:3 Jb 5:7; Pr 23:25; Is 7:14

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  * 3:5 Jb 10:21–22; 12:22; 28:3 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  * 3:6 LXX, Syr, Tg, Vg; MT reads rejoice among the days of the year

or be listed in the calendar.  * 3:6 Lit or enter the number of months

7 Yes, may that night be barren;

may no joyful shout  * 3:7 Jb 20:5; Ps 63:5 be heard in it.

8 Let those who curse days

condemn  * 3:8 Nm 22:11,17; Jb 5:3; Pr 11:26 it,

those who are ready to rouse Leviathan.  * 3:8 Jb 41; Ps 74:14; 104:26

9 May its morning stars grow dark.

May it wait for daylight but have none;

may it not see the breaking  * 3:9 Lit the eyelids 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?  * 3:10–11 Jb 1:21; 10:17–18; Jr 20:17–18

12 Why did the knees receive me,

and why were there breasts for me to nurse?  * 3:12 Sg 8:1; Is 66:12; Jl 2:16

13 Now I would certainly be lying down in peace;

I would be asleep.  * 3:13 Ps 13:3; Jr 51:39,57; Mt 8:24

Then I would be at rest  * 3:13 Jb 17:16; Dn 12:13; Rv 14:13

14 with the kings and counselors  * 3:14 Is 14:9; Jr 51:57; Ezk 32:29 of the earth,

who rebuilt ruined cities for themselves,

15 or with princes who had gold,

who filled their houses  * 3:15 Jb 17:13; 30:23; Ec 12:5 with silver.

16 Or why was I not hidden like a miscarried child,  * 3:16 Nm 12:12; Ps 58:8; Ec 6:3

like infants who never see daylight?

17 There the wicked  * 3:17 Jb 9:22; 11:20; 18:5 cease to make trouble,

and there the weary find rest.

18 The captives are completely at rest;  * 3:18 Pr 1:33; Jr 30:10; 46:27

they do not hear a taskmaster’s voice.  * 3:18 Ex 3:7; 5:10,13–14; Jb 39:7

19 Both small and great are there,

and the slave is set free from his master.  * 3:19 Jb 9:22; Ec 9:2–3; Is 14:9–10

20 Why is light given to one burdened with grief,

and life to those whose existence is bitter,  * 3:20 Jb 23:2; Ps 71:20; Lm 1:4

21 who wait for death,  * 3:21 1Kg 19:4; Jb 7:15; Jnh 4:3 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?  * 3:22 Jb 5:26; 10:19; 17:1

23 Why is life given to a man whose path is hidden,  * 3:23 Jb 19:8; Lm 3:9; Hs 2:6

whom God has hedged in?

24 I sigh when food  * 3:24 Jb 6:7; 33:20; Ps 102:4 is put before me,  * 3:24 Or My sighing serves as my food

and my groans pour out like water.  * 3:24 Ps 6:6; 22:1,14; 32:3

25 For the thing I feared has overtaken me,

and what I dreaded has happened to me.  * 3:25 Jb 9:28; 13:11; 30:15

26 I cannot relax or be calm;

I have no rest,  * 3:26 Jb 30:17; Pr 25:2; Ec 2:23 for turmoil has come.