Job 1

Job's Character and Wealth

1 There was a man in the land of Uz whose name was Job; and that man was blameless, upright, fearing God and turning away from evil.2 Seven sons and three daughters were born to him.3 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 the greatest of all the 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 burnt offerings according to the number of them all; for Job said, "Perhaps my sons have sinned and cursed God in their hearts." Thus Job did continually.

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

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

Job 1

I. The Prologue (1:1-2:13)

Job’s Good Life

1 s There was a mant in the land of Uzs whoset name was Job.s And that man was puret and upright,t one who feared God and turned away from evil.s2 Sevens sons and three daughters were born to him.t

3 His possessionst includedt 7,000 sheep, 3,000 camels, 500 yoke of oxen, and 500 female donkeys; in addition he had a very great household.t Thus het was the greatest of all the people in the east.t
4 Now his sons used to got and holdt a feast in the house of each one in turn,t and they would send and invitet their threet sisters to eat and to drink with them.

5 Whent the days of their feasting were finished,t Job would sendt for them and sanctifyt them; he would get up earlyts in the morning and offer burnt offerings according tot the number of them all. For Job thought, “Perhapst my childrent have sinned and cursedt God in their hearts.” This was Job’s customary practice.t

Satan’s Accusation of Job

6 Now the day came whent the sons of Gods came to present themselves beforet the Lord – and Satans also arrived among them.7 The Lord said to Satan, “Where have you come from?”t And Satan answered the Lord,t “From roving aboutt on the earth, and from walking back and forth across it.”ts

8 So the Lord said to Satan, “Have you consideredts my servant Job? Theret is no one like him on the earth, a pure and upright man, one who fears God and turns awayt from evil.”
9 Then Satan answered the Lord, “Is it for nothing that Job fears God?t10 Have yout not made a hedget around him and his household and all that he has on every side? You have blesseds the work of his hands, and his livestockt have increasedt in the land.

11 Butt extend your hand and strikets everything he has, and he will no doubts curse yout to your face!”

12 So the Lord said to Satan, “All right then,t everything he has ist in your power.t Only do not extend your hand against the man himself!”t So Satan went outt from the presence of the Lord.s

Job’s Integrity in Adversity

13 Now the dayt came when Job’st sons and daughters were eating and drinking wine in their oldest brother’s house,14 and a messenger came to Job, saying, “The oxen were plowingt and the donkeys were grazing beside them,

15 and the Sabeansts swooped downt and carried them all away, and they killeds the servants with the sword!t And I – only I alonet – escaped to tell you!”

16 While this one was still speaking,t another messenger arrivedt and said, “The fire of Gods has fallen from heavent and has burned up the sheep and the servants – it has consumed them! And I – only I alone – escaped to tell you!”

17 While this one was still speaking another messenger arrived and said, “The Chaldeanss formed three bands and made a raidt on the camels and carried them all away, and they killed the servants with the sword!t And I – only I alone – escaped to tell you!”
18 While this one was still speaking another messenger arrived and said, “Your sons and your daughters were eating and drinking wine in their oldest brother’s house,

19 and suddenlyt a great winds swept acrosst the wilderness and struck the four corners of the house, and it fell on the young people, and they died! And I – only I alone – escaped to tell you!”
20 Then Job got upt and tore his robe.s He shaved his head,s and then he threw himself down with his face to the ground.t21 He said, “Nakedt I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I will return there.s The Lord gives, and the Lord takes away.t May the name of the Lords be blessed!”

22 In all this Job did not sin, nor did he charge God with moral impropriety.t