1:1 | *There was a man* in the land of Uz* whose* name was Job.* And that man was pure* and upright,* one who feared God and turned away from evil.* |
1:2 | Seven* sons and three daughters were born to him.* |
1:3 | His possessions* included* 7,000 sheep, 3,000 camels, 500 yoke of oxen, and 500 female donkeys; in addition he had a very great household.* Thus he* was the greatest of all the people in the east.* |
1:4 | Now his sons used to go* and hold* a feast in the house of each one in turn,* and they would send and invite* their three* sisters to eat and to drink with them. |
1:5 | When* the days of their feasting were finished,* Job would send* for them and sanctify* them; he would get up early* in the morning and offer burnt offerings according to* the number of them all. For Job thought, “Perhaps* my children* have sinned and cursed* God in their hearts.” This was Job’s customary practice.* |
1:6 | Now the day came when* the sons of God* came to present themselves before* the Lord – and Satan* also arrived among them. |
1:7 | The Lord said to Satan, “Where have you come from?”* And Satan answered the Lord,* “From roving about* on the earth, and from walking back and forth across it.”* |
1:8 | So the Lord said to Satan, “Have you considered* my servant Job? There* is no one like him on the earth, a pure and upright man, one who fears God and turns away* from evil.” |
1:9 | Then Satan answered the Lord, “Is it for nothing that Job fears God?* |
1:10 | Have you* not made a hedge* around him and his household and all that he has on every side? You have blessed* the work of his hands, and his livestock* have increased* in the land. |
1:11 | But* extend your hand and strike* everything he has, and he will no doubt* curse you* to your face!” |
1:12 | So the Lord said to Satan, “All right then,* everything he has is* in your power.* Only do not extend your hand against the man himself!”* So Satan went out* from the presence of the Lord.* |
1:13 | Now the day* came when Job’s* sons and daughters were eating and drinking wine in their oldest brother’s house, |
1:14 | and a messenger came to Job, saying, “The oxen were plowing* and the donkeys were grazing beside them, |
1:15 | and the Sabeans* swooped down* and carried them all away, and they killed* the servants with the sword!* And I – only I alone* – escaped to tell you!” |
1:16 | While this one was still speaking,* another messenger arrived* and said, “The fire of God* has fallen from heaven* and has burned up the sheep and the servants – it has consumed them! And I – only I alone – escaped to tell you!” |
1:17 | While this one was still speaking another messenger arrived and said, “The Chaldeans* formed three bands and made a raid* on the camels and carried them all away, and they killed the servants with the sword!* And I – only I alone – escaped to tell you!” |
1:18 | While this one was still speaking another messenger arrived and said, “Your sons and your daughters were eating and drinking wine in their oldest brother’s house, |
1:19 | and suddenly* a great wind* swept across* the wilderness and struck the four corners of the house, and it fell on the young people, and they died! And I – only I alone – escaped to tell you!” |
1:20 | Then Job got up* and tore his robe.* He shaved his head,* and then he threw himself down with his face to the ground.* |
1:21 | He said, “Naked* I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I will return there.* The Lord gives, and the Lord takes away.* May the name of the Lord* be blessed!” |
1:22 | In all this Job did not sin, nor did he charge God with moral impropriety.* |