Urban Word Bible
Job 3
Read Job 3 in clear, relatable modern language.
Job Curses the Day He Was Born
1 After this, Job opened his mouth and cursed the day he was born.
2 He said,
3 “Let the day I was born just disappear, and the night that said, ‘A boy is here’ vanish.
4 Let that day be darkness, may God above not even care about it, and no light shine on it.
5 Let deep darkness and gloom claim it, and a cloud settle over it; let blackness terrify it.
6 As for that night, wipe it off the calendar; let no shout of joy come in it.
7 Let that night be barren, with no happy sounds heard in it.
8 Let those who curse days, who know how to rouse up the sea monster, curse that day.
9 Let its morning stars be dark; let it wait for daylight in vain, and never see the light of dawn.
10 Because it did not shut the doors of my mother’s womb, or hide trouble from my eyes.
Why Did I Not Die at Birth,
11 Why did I not just die at birth, come out of the womb and breathe my last,
12 Why were there knees to receive me and breasts to nurse me,
13 If I had died, I would be lying in peace; I would be asleep and at rest
14 With kings and rulers of the earth who built places for themselves now lying in ruins,
15 Or with princes who had gold and filled their houses with silver.
16 Why was I not buried like a stillborn baby, hidden away like infants who never saw the light,
17 There the wicked stop causing trouble, and the weary find rest.
18 Captives are at ease together; they do not hear the slave driver’s shout.
19 The small and the great are there, and the slave is freed from his master.
Why Give Life to Those in Misery,
20 Why give light to those in misery, and life to the bitter of soul,
21 Who long for death that does not come, and dig for it more than hidden treasure,
22 Who are filled with joy when they finally find the grave,
23 Why give life to a man whose way is hidden, whom God has fenced in,
24 For my groans pour out like water; my sighs come like a flood.
25 The thing I feared has happened to me; what I dreaded has come true.
26 I have no peace, no quiet, no rest, only trouble comes.”