Job Was Greatest of the Sons of the East

1There 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. 2Seven sons and three daughters were born to him. 3His possessions also were 7,000 sheep, 3,000 camels, 500 pairs of oxen, 500 female donkeys, and very many servants; and that man was the greatest of all the sons of the east. 4His 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. 5Now it happened when the days of feasting had completed their cycle, that Job would send and set them apart as holy. And he would rise up early in the morning and offer 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.

All Job Has Is in Satan’s Hand

6Now it was the day that the sons of God came to stand before [†]Yahweh, and [†]Satan also came among them. 7And Yahweh said to Satan, “From where do you come?” Then Satan answered Yahweh and said, “From roaming about on the earth and walking around on it.” 8Then Yahweh said to Satan, “Have you set your heart upon 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.” 9And Satan answered Yahweh and said, “Does Job [†]fear God without cause? 10Have 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. 11But send forth Your hand now and touch all that he has; he will surely curse You to Your face.” 12Then Yahweh said to Satan, “Behold, all that he has is in your hand, only do not send forth your hand toward him.” So Satan went out from the presence of Yahweh.

Messengers Speak of the Fire of God

13Now it happened that on the day when his sons and his daughters were eating and drinking wine in the house of their brother, the firstborn, 14a messenger came to Job and said, “The oxen were plowing and the [†]donkeys feeding beside them, 15and [†]the Sabeans fell upon them and took them. They also struck down the young men with the edge of the sword, and [†]I alone have escaped to tell you.” 16While this one was still speaking, another also came and said, “The fire of God fell from heaven and burned up the sheep and the young men and consumed them, and I alone have escaped to tell you.” 17While this one was still speaking, another also came and said, “The Chaldeans set up three companies and made a raid on the camels and took them and struck down the young men with the edge of the sword, and I alone have escaped to tell you.” 18While this one was still speaking, another also came and said, “Your sons and your daughters were eating and drinking wine in the house of their brother, the firstborn, 19and behold, a great wind came from across the wilderness and touched the four corners of the house, and it fell on the young people, and they died, and I alone have escaped to tell you.”

20Then Job arose and tore his robe and shaved his head, and he fell to the ground and worshiped. 21And he said,

“Naked I came from my mother’s womb,

And naked I shall return there.

Yahweh gave, and Yahweh has taken away.

Blessed be the name of Yahweh.”

22Through all this Job did not sin, nor did he give offense to God.