Chapter 1

Job’s Character and Wealth

1 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 yoke of oxen, 500 female donkeys, and very many servants; and that man was bthe greatest of all the 1men 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 When the days of feasting had completed their cycle, Job would send and consecrate them, rising up early in the morning and offering aburnt offerings according to the number of them all; for Job said, “bPerhaps my sons have sinned and ccursed God in their hearts.” Thus Job did continually.

6 aNow there was a day when the bsons of God came to present themselves before the Lord, and 1Satan also came among them.

7 The Lord said to Satan, “From where do you come?” Then Satan answered the Lord and said, “aFrom roaming about on the earth and walking around on it.”

8 The Lord said to Satan, “Have you 1considered aMy servant Job? For there is no one like him on the earth, ba blameless and upright man, 2fearing God and turning away from evil.”

9 Then aSatan answered the 1Lord, “Does Job fear God for nothing?

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 put forth Your hand now and btouch all that he has; he will surely curse You to Your face.”

12 Then the Lord said to Satan, “Behold, all that he has is in your 1power, only do not put forth your hand on him.” So Satan departed from the presence of the Lord.

Satan Allowed to Test Job

13 Now on the day when his sons and his daughters were eating and drinking wine in their oldest brother’s house,

14 a messenger came to Job and said, “The oxen were plowing and the 1donkeys feeding beside them,

15 and 1the aSabeans 2attacked and took them. They also 3slew the servants with the edge of the sword, and 4I alone have escaped to tell you.”

16 While he was still speaking, another also came and said, “aThe 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.”

17 While he was still speaking, another also came and said, “The aChaldeans formed three bands and made a raid on the camels and took them and 1slew 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 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.”

20 Then Job arose and atore his robe and shaved his head, and he fell to the ground and worshiped.

21 He said,

“aNaked I came from my mother’s womb,

And naked I shall return there.

The bLord gave and the Lord has taken away.

Blessed be the name of the Lord.”

22 aThrough all this Job did not sin nor did he 1blame God.