JobChapter 1

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¹There was a man in the land of Uz named Job. He was without blame and lived an honest life. He feared God and stayed away from evil. ²He had seven sons and three daughters. ³He owned 7,000 sheep, 3,000 camels, 500 pairs of oxen, and 500 female donkeys. He also had a great many servants. Job was the greatest man of all the people of the East. ⁴Job's sons would take turns holding feasts in their homes. They would ask their three sisters to come and eat and drink with them. ⁵When the days of feasting were over, Job would send for his children to make them pure. He would get up early in the morning. He would offer a burnt offering for each of them. For Job thought, "Maybe my children have sinned. Maybe they have cursed God in their hearts." Job always did this. ⁶One day the sons of God came to stand before the LORD. Satan also came with them.a ⁷The LORD said to Satan, "Where have you come from?" Satan answered, "From roaming around the earth. I've been walking back and forth on it." ⁸Then the LORD said to Satan, "Have you noticed my servant Job? There is no one on earth like him. He is without blame and lives an honest life. He fears God and stays away from evil." ⁹Satan answered the LORD, "Does Job fear God for nothing? ¹⁰Haven't you put a hedge all around him? You protect him and his family and all he owns. You have blessed the work of his hands. What he owns has grown and spread across the land. ¹¹But reach out your hand and strike everything he has. Then he will surely curse you to your face." ¹²"All right," the LORD said to Satan. "Everything he has is in your power. But you must not lay a hand on the man himself." Then Satan went out from the LORD's presence. ¹³One day Job's sons and daughters were eating and drinking wine at their oldest brother's house. ¹⁴A messenger came to Job and said, "The oxen were plowing, and the donkeys were eating grass nearby. ¹⁵Then the Sabeans attacked and took them away. They killed the servants with the sword. I am the only one who got away to tell you!" ¹⁶While he was still talking, another messenger came. He said, "The fire of God fell from the sky. It burned up the sheep and the servants. I am the only one who got away to tell you!" ¹⁷While he was still talking, another messenger came. He said, "The Chaldeans made three groups. They raided the camels and took them away. They killed the servants with the sword. I am the only one who got away to tell you!" ¹⁸While he was still talking, another messenger came. He said, "Your sons and daughters were eating and drinking wine at their oldest brother's house. ¹⁹Suddenly a strong wind blew in from the desert. It hit the four corners of the house. The house fell on the young people, and they are dead. I am the only one who got away to tell you!" ²⁰Then Job got up. He tore his robe and shaved his head. He fell to the ground and worshiped. ²¹He said, "Naked I came from my mother's womb,
and naked I will return.
The LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away.
Blessed be the name of the LORD." ²²In all this, Job did not sin. He did not blame God for doing wrong.