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Job's Character and Greatness

¹ There was a man in the land of Uz whose^[a] name was Job. That^[b] man was blameless and upright and God-fearing and turning away from evil. ² And seven sons and three daughters were born to him. ³ Then^[c] his livestock came to be seven thousand sheep and goats and three thousand camels and five hundred pairs^[d] of oxen and five hundred female donkeys, and he had very many slaves, and that man was greater than all the people of the east. ⁴ And his sons used to go and hold a feast at each other's house^[e] on his day, and they would send, and they would invite their three sisters to eat and to drink with them. ⁵ Then when^[f] the days of the feast had run their course, Job would send,^[g] and he would sanctify them. Thus^[h] he would arise early in the morning and offer burnt offerings according to the number of all of them, because Job thought,^[i] "Perhaps my children have sinned and cursed^[j] God in their heart." This is what Job used to do all the time.^[k]

⁶ And it happened one day^[l] that^[m] the sons of God^[n] came to present themselves before Yahweh, and Satan^[o] also came into their midst. ⁷ So^[p] Yahweh said to Satan,^[q] "From where have you come?"

Then^[r] Satan^[s] answered Yahweh and said, "From roaming on the earth and from walking about in it."

⁸ So^[t] Yahweh said to Satan,^[u] "Have you considered^[v] my servant Job? Indeed,^[w] there is no one like him on the earth—a blameless man and upright and God-fearing and turning away from evil."

⁹ Then^[x] Satan^[y] answered Yahweh and said, "Does Job fear God for nothing? ¹⁰ Have you^[z] not put a fence around him and his household and around all that belongs to him^[aa] on every side?^[ab] You have blessed the work of his hands, and his livestock^[ac] has increased in the land. ¹¹ But,^[ad] on the other hand, stretch out^[ae] your hand and touch all that belongs to him^[af] and see whether^[ag] he will curse^[ah] you to your face."

¹² So^[ai] Yahweh said to Satan,^[aj] "Look, all that belongs to him^[ak] is in your power.^[al] Only do not stretch out your hand against^[am] him." So^[an] Satan^[ao] went out from Yahweh's presence.^[ap]

The Adversary's Attack on Job's Possessions

¹³ And then there was one day when^[aq] his sons and his daughters were eating and drinking wine in their firstborn brother's house. ¹⁴ And a messenger came to Job and said, "The oxen were plowing, and the female donkeys were feeding beside them.^{[ar] 15} Then^[as] the Sabeans attacked,^[at] and they took them, and they slew the servants by the edge of the sword.^[au] But^[av] I escaped, even I alone, to tell you."

¹⁶ While this one was still speaking, another^[aw] came and said, "The fire of God fell from the heavens, and it blazed up against the sheep and goats and against the servants, and it consumed them. But I escaped, even I alone, to tell you."

¹⁷ While this one was still speaking, another^[ax] came and said, "The Chaldeans formed three divisions, and they made a raid on the camels, and they carried them away, and they struck your servants by the edge of the sword,^[ay] but I escaped, even I alone, to tell you."

¹⁸ At the time^[az] this one was speaking, another^[ba] came and said, "Your sons and your daughters were eating and drinking wine in their firstborn brother's house. ¹⁹ And behold,^[bb] a great wind came from across the desert, and it struck the four corners of the house so that^[bc] it fell upon the young people, and they died. But I escaped, even I alone, to tell you."

²⁰ Then^[bd] Job arose and tore his outer garment^[be] and shaved his head; then^[bf] he fell upon the ground and he worshiped. ²¹ Then^[bg] he said, "Naked I came out from my mother's womb, and naked I will return there. Yahweh gives, and Yahweh takes. Let Yahweh's name be blessed." ²² In all this, Job did not sin and did not charge God with wrongdoing.^[bh]