Job 1

Job’s character, family and possessions

There was a man in the land of Uz, whose name was Job; and that man was blameless and upright, and one who feared God and shunned evil. 2 And there were born to him seven sons and three daughters. 3 And his possessions were seven thousand sheep, and three thousand camels, and five hundred yoke of oxen, and five hundred female donkeys, and a very great household; so that this man was the greatest of all the men of the east.

4 And his sons used to go and have a feast in the house of each one on his day, and they would send and call for their three sisters to eat and to drink with them. 5 And it came about when their days of feasting had completed its cycle, that Job would send and sanctify them, and rise up early in the morning and offer burnt offerings according to the number of them all. For Job said, “It may be that my sons have sinned, and cursed God in their hearts”. Thus Job did continually.

The dialogue between God and Satan

6 Now a day came when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan also came among them.

7 And the LORD said to Satan, “From where have you come?” Then Satan answered the LORD and said, “From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it”.

8 And the LORD said to Satan, “Have you considered my servant Job, that there is no one like him on the earth, a blameless and an upright man, one who fears God and shuns evil?”

9 Then Satan answered the LORD and said, “Does Job fear God for nothing? 10 Have you not made a hedge around him and around his house and around all that he has, on every side? You have blessed the work of his hands, and his possessions have increased in the land. 11 But now stretch out your hand and touch all that he has, and he will curse you to your face”.

12 And the LORD said to Satan, “See, all that he has is in your power; only do not stretch out your hand to the man himself”. So Satan went out from the presence of the LORD.

Satan brings disasters on Job

13 And there was a day when his sons and his daughters were eating and drinking wine in their oldest brother’s house; 14 and a messenger came to Job and said, “The oxen were plowing, and the donkeys were feeding beside them, 15 and the Sabeans attacked and took them away. Yes, they killed the servants with the edge of the sword, and I alone have escaped to tell you”.

16 While he was still speaking, another also came and said, “The fire of God has fallen from heaven and burned up the sheep and the servants and consumed them, and I alone have escaped to tell you”.

17 While he was still speaking, another also came and said, “The Chaldeans formed three bands and attacked the camels and carried them away; yes, and they killed the servants with the edge of the sword; and I alone have escaped to tell you”.

18 While 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; 19 and, see, a great wind came from the wilderness and struck the four corners of the house, and it fell on the young men, and they are dead, and I alone have escaped to tell you”.

Job’s wonderful behavior and words in the time of disaster

20 Then Job arose and tore his cloak and shaved his head, and prostrated himself on the ground and worshipped, 21 and said, “Naked I came out of my mother’s womb, and naked I shall return. The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away. Blessed be the name of the LORD”.

22 In all this Job did not sin, or charge God foolishly.