Job and His Family
1 There was a man in the country of Uz a named Job. b He was a man of complete integrity, c who feared God and turned away from evil. d 2 He had seven sons and three daughters. e 3 His estate included seven thousand sheep and goats, three thousand camels, five hundred yoke of oxen, five hundred female donkeys, f and a very large number of servants. Job was the greatest man among all the people of the east. g
4 His sons used to take turns having banquets at their homes. They would send an invitation to their three sisters to eat and drink with them. 5 Whenever a round of banqueting was over, Job would send for his children and purify them, rising early in the morning to offer burnt offerings for A all of them. For Job thought, “Perhaps my children have sinned, having cursed God in their hearts.” h This was Job’s regular practice.
Satan’s First Test of Job
6 One day the sons of God i came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan B also came with them. 7 The LORD asked Satan, “Where have you come from? ”
“From roaming through the earth,” j Satan answered him, “and walking around on it.”
8 Then the LORD said to Satan, “Have you considered my servant Job? No one else on earth is like him, a man of perfect integrity, k who fears God and turns away from evil.” l
9 Satan answered the LORD, “Does Job fear God for nothing? 10 Haven’t you placed a hedge around m him, his household, and everything he owns? You have blessed the work of his hands, and his possessions have increased in the land. 11 But stretch out your hand and strike n everything he owns, and he will surely curse you to your face.”
12 “Very well,” the LORD told Satan, “everything he owns is in your power. However, do not lay a hand on Job himself.” So Satan left the LORD’S presence.
13 One day when Job’s sons and daughters were eating and drinking wine in their oldest brother’s house, 14 a messenger came to Job and reported: “While the oxen were plowing and the donkeys grazing nearby, 15 the Sabeans o swooped down and took them away. They struck down the servants with the sword, and I alone have escaped to tell you! ”
16 He was still speaking when another messenger came and reported: “God’s fire fell from heaven. p It burned the sheep and the servants and devoured them, and I alone have escaped to tell you! ”
17 That messenger was still speaking when yet another came and reported: “The Chaldeans formed three bands, made a raid on the camels, and took them away. They struck down the servants with the sword, and I alone have escaped to tell you! ”
18 He was still speaking when another messenger came and reported: “Your sons and daughters were eating and drinking wine in their oldest brother’s house. 19 Suddenly a powerful wind swept in from the desert and struck the four corners of the house. It collapsed on the young people so that they died, and I alone have escaped to tell you! ”
20 Then Job stood up, tore q his robe, and shaved r his head. He fell to the ground and worshiped, 21 saying:
Naked I came from my mother’s womb, s
and naked I will leave this life. C,t
The LORD gives, and the LORD takes away.
Blessed be the name of the LORD. u
22 Throughout all this Job did not sin or blame God for anything. D,v