Job 1

There was a man in the land of Uz. Job was his name, and that man was blameless and righteous, both fearful of God and turning from evil.

Seven sons and three daughters were born to him.

And his stock was 7,000 sheep and 3,000 camels and 500 pairs of oxen and 500 donkeys and a very large retinue. And that man was greater than all the sons of the East. \*

And his sons went and made a feast, a man in {his} house on his day, and they sent and called their three sisters to eat and to drink with them.

And it happened that when the days of the feast had gone around, Job sent and consecrated them. He arose early in the morning and offered burnt offerings {according to} the number of all of them. For Job said, “Perhaps my sons have sinned and blessed God in their hearts.” Thus Job did all the days. \*

And it was the day, and the sons of God came to present themselves to God. And the adversary also came in the midst of them.

And God said to the adversary, “From where have you come?” And the adversary answered God and said, “From wandering on the earth and from going back and forth on it.”

And God said to the adversary, “Have you set your heart upon my servant Job? For {there is} not like him on the earth, a blameless and righteous man, fearful of God and turning from evil.” \*

And the adversary answered God and said, “Does Job fear God for nothing?

Have you not put a hedge around him and around his house and around all that {is} his, from every side? You have blessed the works of his hands, and his cattle have burst forth in the land.

However, just stretch out your hand and touch all that {is} his, if he will not bless you to your face.”

And God said to the adversary, “Behold, all that {is} his {is} in your hand. Only against him do not stretch out your hand.” And the adversary went away from the face of God. \*

And it was the day, and his sons and his daughters {were} eating and drinking wine in the house of their eldest brother.

And a messenger came to Job and said, “The oxen were plowing and the donkeys {were} feeding at their hand.

And Sheba fell {on them} and took them, and they struck the servants with the edge of the sword, and only I alone have escaped to tell you.” \*

That one {was} still speaking and another came and said, “The fire of God fell from the heavens and burned up the sheep and the servants and consumed them, and only I alone have escaped to tell you.”

That one {was} still speaking and another came and said, “The Chaldeans formed three groups and rushed against the camels and took them, and they struck the servants with the edge of the sword, and only I alone have escaped to tell you.” \*

That one {was} still speaking and another came and said, “Your sons and your daughters {were} eating and drinking wine in the house of their eldest brother.

And behold, a great wind came from across the desert and struck the four corners of the house, and it fell on the young people and they died, and only I alone have escaped to tell you.” \*

And Job arose and tore his robe and shaved his head and fell to the ground and prostrated himself.

And he said, “Naked I came from the womb of my mother, and naked I will return there. God gave, and God has taken. May the name of God be blessed.”

In all of this, Job did not sin and he did not ascribe impropriety to God. \*