Ketuvim (Hagiographer) » Job (Iyov)

After this opened Job his mouth, and cursed his day.

{S} And Job spoke, and said:

Let the day perish wherein I was born, and the night wherein it was said: 'A man-child is brought forth.'

Let that day be darkness; let not God inquire after it from above, neither let the light shine upon it.

Behold, thou hast instructed many, and thou hast strengthened the weak hands.

For now it would be heavier than the sand of the seas; therefore are my words broken.

Doth God pervert judgment? Or doth the Almighty pervert justice?

If one should desire to contend with Him, he could not answer Him one of a thousand.

Thy boastings have made men hold their peace, and thou hast mocked, with none to make thee ashamed;

But I have understanding as well as you; I am not inferior to you; yea, who knoweth not such things as these?

Should he reason with unprofitable talk, or with speeches wherewith he can do no good?

Shall windy words have an end? Or what provoketh thee that thou answerest?{S} Then Job answered and said:

Wherefore are we counted as beasts, and reputed dull in your sight?

These ten times have ye reproached me; ye are not ashamed that ye deal harshly with me.

I have heard the reproof which putteth me to shame, but out of my understanding my spirit answereth me.

Suffer me, that I may speak; and after that I have spoken, mock on.

Is it any advantage to the Almighty, that thou art righteous? Or is it gain to Him, that thou makest thy ways blameless?

Oh that I knew where I might find Him, that I might come even to His seat!

Is there any number of His armies? And upon whom doth not His light arise?

How hast thou counselled him that hath no wisdom, and plentifully declared sound knowledge!

All the while my breath is in me, and the spirit of God is in my nostrils,

Who rejoice unto exultation, and are glad, when they can find the grave?--

To a man whose way is hid, and whom God hath hedged in?

For my sighing cometh instead of my food, and my roarings are poured out like water.

For the thing which I did fear is come upon me, and that which I was afraid of hath overtaken me.

I was not at ease, neither was I quiet, neither had I rest; but trouble came.