King James Bible
"Let darkness and the shadow of death stain it; let a cloud dwell upon it; let the blackness of the day terrify it."
Job invokes the most extreme forms of darkness—including 'shadow of death' (tsalmaveth), a Hebrew term for deepest gloom—to permanently corrupt and claim the day of his birth. The verb 'stain' suggests an indelible marking, as Job wishes his birthday to be irreversibly defiled by the very antithesis of creation's light. Beyond momentary shadow, Job desires a permanent cloud covering that would settle over and possess the day. This imagery of dwelling suggests an enduring occupation, blocking any possibility of light breaking through. Job personifies the day itself as capable of being terrorized by supernatural darkness—possibly referring to phenomena like eclipses that ancient peoples found ominous. This climactic curse reveals Job's desire for his birth date to experience the same dread and horror he now endures.