There was a man in the aland of Uz whose name was bJob; and that man was cblameless, upright, dfearing God, and eturning away from evil. 2 aSeven sons and three daughters were born to him. 3 aHis possessions also were 7,000 sheep, 3,000 camels, 500 pairs of oxen, 500 female donkeys, and very many servants; and that man was bthe greatest of all the sons of the east. 4 His sons used to go and hold a feast in the house of each one on his day, and they would send and invite their three sisters to eat and drink with them. 5 Now it happened when the days of feasting had completed their cycle, that Job would send and set them apart as holy. And he would rise up early in the morning and offer aburnt offerings according to the number of them all; for Job said, “bPerhaps my sons have sinned and 1ccursed God in their hearts.” Thus Job did continually.
All Job Has Is in Satan’s Hand
6 aNow it was the day that the bsons of God came to stand before 1Yahweh, and 2Satan also came among them. 7 And Yahweh said to Satan, “From where do you come?” Then Satan answered Yahweh and said, “aFrom roaming about on the earth and walking around on it.” 8 Then Yahweh said to Satan, “Have you set your heart upon aMy servant Job? For there is no one like him on the earth, ba blameless and upright man, 1fearing God and turning away from evil.” 9 And aSatan answered Yahweh and said, “Does Job 1fear God without cause? 10 aHave You not made a hedge about him and his house and all that he has, on every side? bYou have blessed the work of his hands, and his cpossessions have increased in the land. 11 aBut send forth Your hand now and btouch all that he has; he will surely curse You to Your face.” 12 Then Yahweh said to Satan, “Behold, all that he has is in your hand, only do not send forth your hand toward him.” So Satan went out from the presence of Yahweh.
Messengers Speak of the Fire of God
13 Now it happened that on the day when his sons and his daughters were eating and drinking wine in the house of their brother, the firstborn, 14 a messenger came to Job and said, “The oxen were plowing and the 1donkeys feeding beside them, 15 and 1the aSabeans fell upon them and took them. They also struck down the young men with the edge of the sword, and 2I alone have escaped to tell you.” 16 While this one was still speaking, another also came and said, “aThe fire of God fell from heaven and burned up the sheep and the young men and consumed them, and I alone have escaped to tell you.” 17 While this one was still speaking, another also came and said, “The aChaldeans set up three companies and made a raid on the camels and took them and struck down the young men with the edge of the sword, and I alone have escaped to tell you.” 18 While this one was still speaking, another also came and said, “Your sons and your daughters were eating and drinking wine in the house of their brother, the firstborn, 19 and behold, a great wind came from across the wilderness and touched the four corners of the house, and it fell on the young people, and they died, and I alone have escaped to tell you.” 20 Then Job arose and atore his robe and shaved his head, and he fell to the ground and worshiped. 21 And he said,
“aNaked I came from my mother’s womb,
And naked I shall return there.
bYahweh gave, and Yahweh has taken away.
Blessed be the name of Yahweh.”
22 aThrough all this Job did not sin, nor did he give offense to God.