THE BOOK OF JOB

 

Job Chapter 1

1 ¶ There was a man in the land of Uz, whose name was Job; and that man was blameless and upright, one who feared God, and shunned evil.

2 And he had fathered seven sons and three daughters.

3 He also possessed seven thousand sheep, three thousand camels, five hundred yoke of oxen, five hundred female donkeys, and many servants; so this man was the greatest among all the men of the east.

4 ¶ And his sons used to go and feast at one another’s homes, each on his day; and sent an invitation to their three sisters to eat and to drink with them.

5 And when their days of feasting were finished, Job sent for them to sanctify them, and got up early in the morning, and offered burnt offerings for each of them: for Job thought, my sons may have sinned, and cursed God in their hearts. Job regularly did this.

6 ¶ Now there was a day 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, Where have you come from? Then Satan answered the LORD, and said, From going through the earth, and traveling back and forth on it.

8 And the LORD said to Satan, Have you considered my servant Job, that there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and 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 placed a hedge around him, and around his house, and around all that he has on every side? you have blessed everything he does, and his flocks and herds have spread out over the land.

11 But now put out your hand, and touch all that he has, and he will curse you to your face.

12 And the LORD said to Satan, Behold, all that he has is in your power; but do not touch the man himself. So Satan left the presence of the LORD.

13 ¶ And there was a day when Job’s sons and his daughters were eating and drinking wine in the house of their eldest brother:

14 And a messenger came to Job, and said, The oxen were plowing, with the donkeys feeding beside them:

15 And the Sabeans swooped down, driving them away; and killing the servants with the edge of the sword; and I alone have escaped to tell you.

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

17 While he was yet speaking, another came, and said, The Chaldeans divided into three bands, and fell upon the camels, driving them away, and killing the servants with the edge of the sword; and I alone have escaped to tell you.

18 While he was yet speaking, another came, and said, Your sons and your daughters were eating and drinking wine in their eldest brother’s house:

19 And, behold, a great wind came from the desert, 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.

20 ¶ Then Job got up, and tore his garment, and shaved his head, and fell down upon the ground, and worshipped,

21 And said, I came out of my mother’s womb naked, and I will depart from this world naked: the LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away; may the name of the LORD be praised.

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