Job 1

1A man was in the land of Uz named Job, and that man was blameless and upright, fearing God and turning from evil.

2Seven sons and three daughters were born to him.

3His possessions were seven thousand sheep, three thousand camels, five hundred pairs of oxen, five hundred donkeys, and an exceedingly great household, and that man was the greatest among all the sons of the east.

4His sons went and held a banquet in each one's house on his day, and they sent and called their three sisters to eat and drink with them.

5When their feasting days were complete, Job sent and consecrated them, rose early in the morning, and offered burnt offerings—one for each of them. For Job said, "Perhaps my sons have sinned and renounced God in their hearts." Job did this every day.

6One day the sons of God came to present themselves before Yahweh, and the Satan also came among them.

7Yahweh said to Satan, "Where have you come from?" Satan answered Yahweh, "From roaming the earth and from walking about in it."

8Yahweh said to Satan, "Have you set your heart upon my servant Job? For there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man who fears God and turns away from evil."

9Satan answered Yahweh and said, "Does Job fear God for no reason?"

10Haven't you hedged about him, about his house, and about all that he has on every side? You have blessed the work of his hands, and his livestock has burst forth in the land.

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

12Yahweh said to Satan, "Behold, all that he has is in your hand—only do not stretch out your hand against him." Then Satan went out from before Yahweh.

13One day his sons and daughters were eating and drinking wine in their eldest brother's house.

14A messenger came to Job and said, "The oxen were plowing, and the donkeys feeding beside them."

15The Sabeans attacked and seized them; they have struck down the servants with the sword's edge, and only I escaped alone to tell you.

16While he was still speaking, another came and said, "Fire from God fell from the sky and burned the sheep and the servants, consuming them, but I alone escaped to tell you."

17While he was still speaking, another came and said, "Chaldeans formed three bands and raided the camels, taking them away, and killed the servants with the sword's edge; only I escaped alone to tell you."

18While he was still speaking, another came and said, "Your sons and your daughters were eating and drinking wine in their firstborn brother's house."

19Suddenly a great wind came from across the wilderness and struck the four corners of the house, and it fell on the young men, and they died; only I alone escaped to tell you.

20Job arose, tore his robe, shaved his head, fell to the ground, and worshiped.

21He said, "Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked I will return there. Yahweh gave, and Yahweh took; blessed be the name of Yahweh."

22In all this Job did not sin, nor attribute folly to God.