Job 1

Job and His Household

1There was a man in the land of Uz whose name was Job. That man was blameless and upright, fearing God and turning away from evil. 2Seven sons and three daughters were born to him. 3His possessions were seven thousand sheep, three thousand camels, five hundred yoke of oxen, five hundred female donkeys, and a very large household. That man was greater than all the people of the east.

4His sons would 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. 5When the days of feasting had completed their cycle, Job would send and consecrate them. He would rise early in the morning and offer burnt offerings according to the number of them all, for Job said, “Perhaps my children have sinned and cursed God in their hearts.” Thus Job did continually.

The Accuser Appears Before the LORD

6Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and the accuser also came among them. 7The LORD said to the accuser, “From where have you come?” The accuser answered the LORD and said, “From roaming through the earth and walking about on it.” 8The LORD said to the accuser, “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.” 9Then the accuser answered the LORD and said, “Does Job fear God for nothing? 10Have you not put a hedge around him, around his household, and around all that he has on every side? You have blessed the work of his hands, and his possessions have spread throughout the land. 11But now stretch out your hand and touch all that he has. Surely he will curse you to your face.” 12The LORD said to the accuser, “Look, all that he has is in your hand. Only against the man himself do not stretch out your hand.” Then the accuser went out from the presence of the LORD.

Job Loses His Children and Possessions

13Now there was a day when his sons and daughters were eating and drinking wine in the house of their firstborn brother. 14A messenger came to Job and said, “The oxen were plowing and the donkeys were feeding beside them, 15and the Sabeans fell upon them and took them, and struck the servants with the edge of the sword. I alone escaped to tell you.”

16While this one was still speaking, another came and said, “The fire of God fell from heaven and burned up the sheep and the servants and consumed them. I alone escaped to tell you.” 17While this one was still speaking, another came and said, “The Chaldeans formed three companies, raided the camels, and took them, and struck the servants with the edge of the sword. I alone escaped to tell you.” 18While this one was still speaking, another came and said, “Your sons and daughters were eating and drinking wine in the house of their firstborn brother, 19and look, a great wind came from beyond the wilderness, struck the four corners of the house, and it fell upon the young people, and they died. I alone escaped to tell you.”

Job Worships

20Then Job arose, tore his robe, shaved his head, fell to the ground, and bowed down. 21He 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.” 22In all this Job did not sin and did not charge God with wrongdoing.