Job 1

Job’s Character and Wealth

1There was a man in the 1land of Uz whose name was 2Job; and that man was 3blameless, upright, 4fearing God and 5turning away from evil. 26Seven sons and three daughters were born to him. 37His possessions were seven thousand sheep, three thousand camels, five hundred yoke of oxen, five hundred female donkeys, and very many servants; and that man was 8the greatest of all the 9men of the east. 4His sons used to go and hold a feast in the house of each one on his day, and they would send word and invite their three sisters to eat and drink with them. 5When the days of feasting had completed their cycle, Job would send word to them and consecrate them, getting up early in the morning and offering 10burnt offerings according to the number of them all; for Job said, “11Perhaps my sons have sinned and 12cursed God in their hearts.” Job did so continually.

613Now there was a day when the 1415sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord, and 16Satan also came among them. 7The Lord said to Satan, “From where do you come?” Satan answered the Lord and said, “17From roaming about on the earth and walking around on it.” 8The Lord said to Satan, “Have you 18considered 19My servant Job? For there is no one like him on the earth, 20a blameless and upright man, 21fearing God and turning away from evil.” 9Then 22Satan answered the 23Lord, “Does Job fear God for nothing? 1024Have You not made a fence around him and his house and all that he has, on every side? 25You have blessed the work of his hands, and his 26possessions have increased in the land. 1127But reach out with Your hand now and 28touch all that he has; he will certainly curse You to Your face.” 12Then the Lord said to Satan, “Behold, all that he has is in your 29power; only do not reach out and put your hand on him.” So Satan departed from the presence of the Lord.

Satan Allowed to Test Job

13Now on the day when his sons and his daughters were eating and drinking wine in their oldest brother’s house, 14a messenger came to Job and said, “The oxen were plowing and the female donkeys feeding beside them, 15and 30the 31Sabeans 32attacked and took them. They also 33killed the servants with the edge of the sword, and 34I alone have escaped to tell you.” 16While he was still speaking, another came and said, “35The fire of God fell from heaven and burned up the sheep and the servants and consumed them, and I alone have escaped to tell you.” 17While he was still speaking, another came and said, “The 36Chaldeans formed three units and made a raid on the camels and took them, and 37killed the servants with the edge of the sword, and I alone have escaped to tell you.” 18While he was still speaking, another also came and said, “Your sons and your daughters were eating and drinking wine in their oldest brother’s house, 19and behold, a great wind came from across the wilderness and struck the four corners of the house, and it fell on the young people and they died, and I alone have escaped to tell you.”

20Then Job got up, 38tore his robe, and shaved his head; then he fell to the ground and worshiped. 21He said, “39Naked I came from my mother’s womb, And naked I shall return there. The 40Lord gave and the Lord has taken away. Blessed be the name of the Lord.”

2241Despite all this, Job did not sin, nor did he 42blame God.