20:14 Cursed be the day I was born!

May that day not be blessed when my mother gave birth to me. ¹ 

20:15 Cursed be the man

who made my father very glad

when he brought him the news

that a baby boy had been born to him! ² 

20:16 May that man be like the cities ³ 

that the Lord destroyed without showing any mercy.

May he hear a cry of distress in the morning

and a battle cry at noon.

20:17 For he did not kill me before I came from the womb,

making my pregnant mother’s womb my grave forever. ⁴ 

20:18 Why did I ever come forth from my mother’s womb?

All I experience is trouble and grief,

and I spend my days in shame. ⁵