3 After that, Iyyov spoke up and cursed the day of his conception.[ref]

2 He said:

3 May the day on which I was born perish,

and the night that said, ‘A boy has been conceived.’

4 May that day be dark.

May God not search for it from above

and may no light shine on it.

5 May darkness and a dark shadow claim it.

≈May a cloud remain over it.

May the blacknesses of the day terrify it.

6 May gloom take that night.

May it not be happy among the days of the year.

May it not enter into the number of months.

7 Listen, may that night be barren.

May a happy shout never enter it.

8 May those who curse days, curse that one—

yes, those people who’re skillful enough to wake up the large sea monster.

9 May the stars of its twilight be dark.

May it stay waiting for the light that never arrives.

May it not see the dawn breaking.

10 Because it didn’t close the doors of my mother’s womb,

to hide the sorrow from my eyes.

11 Why didn’t I die at birth?

≈Just come out then stop breathing?

12 Why was I accepted onto her lap?

≈And onto those breasts to suckle?

13 Yes, I’d be peacefully lying down now.

≈I would have slept and been at rest,

14 along with kings and counsellors of the earth—

yes, those who built monuments for themselves.

15 Or been asleep with princes and their gold—

those who filled their houses with silver.

16 I might never have been—like a stillborn child.

≈Like some infants who never see the light.

17 Wicked people don’t cause any more trouble there.

Those who’ve run out of strength rest there.

18 Prisoners are able to relax together.

They no longer hear the voice of their taskmaster.

19 Ordinary and famous people are all alike there.

And slaves there no longer have to obey their masters.

20 Why is light given to those who’re miserable?

≈And why’s life given to those who’re bitter inside?

21 They wish for death but it won’t come.[ref]

They dig for it more than for hidden treasure.

22 Those who’re happy for happiness sake,

will celebrate when they find the grave.

23 Why search for a path that’s hidden

when God has hedged them in?

24 Sighing has become more important than eating.

≈My groans just pour out like water.

25 I had my fears and they’ve come to pass.

≈What I dreaded has come to me.

26 I’m not relaxed or peaceful.

≈I can’t rest because only trouble comes.