1 Job’s Opening Speech 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 LXX, Syr, Tg, Vg; MT reads rejoice among the days of the year or be listed in the calendar. Lit or enter the number of months 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 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?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 rest14 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, Or My sighing serves as my food 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.