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Job's Character and Wealth

¹ There was a man in the ^(C1)land of Uz whose name was ^(C2)Job; and that man was ^(C3)blameless, upright, ^(C4)fearing God and ^(C5)turning away from evil.^2 (C1)Seven sons and three daughters were born to him.^3 (C1)His possessions also were 7,000 sheep, 3,000 camels, 500 yoke of oxen, 500 female donkeys, and very many servants; and that man was ^(C2)the greatest of all the ^(F1)men 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 ^(C1)burnt offerings according to the number of them all; for Job said, "^(C2)Perhaps my sons have sinned and ^(C3)cursed God in their hearts." Thus Job did continually.

^6 (C1)Now there was a day when the ^(C2)sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and ^(F1)Satan also came among them.⁷ The LORD said to Satan, "From where do you come?" Then Satan answered the LORD and said, "^(C1)From roaming about on the earth and walking around on it."⁸ The LORD said to Satan, "Have you ^(F1)considered ^(C1)My servant Job? For there is no one like him on the earth, ^(C2)a blameless and upright man, ^(F2)fearing God and turning away from evil."⁹ Then ^(C1)Satan answered the ^(F1)LORD, "Does Job fear God for nothing?¹⁰ "^(C1)Have You not made a hedge about him and his house and all that he has, on every side? ^(C2)You have blessed the work of his hands, and his ^(C3)possessions have increased in the land.¹¹ "^(C1)But put forth Your hand now and ^(C2)touch 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 ^(F1)power, 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 ^(F1)donkeys feeding beside them,¹⁵ and ^(F1)the ^(C1)Sabeans ^(F2)attacked and took them. They also ^(F3)slew the servants with the edge of the sword, and ^(F4)I alone have escaped to tell you."¹⁶ While he was still speaking, another also came and said, "^(C1)The 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 ^(C1)Chaldeans formed three bands and made a raid on the camels and took them and ^(F1)slew 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 ^(C1)tore his robe and shaved his head, and he fell to the ground and worshiped.²¹ He said,

"^(C1)Naked I came from my mother's womb,
And naked I shall return there.
The ^(C2)LORD gave and the LORD has taken away.
Blessed be the name of the LORD."

^22 (C1)Through all this Job did not sin nor did he ^(F1)blame God.