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1:1  There once was a man named Job who lived in the land of Uz. He was blameless--a man of complete integrity. He feared God and stayed away from evil.
1:2  He had seven sons and three daughters.
1:3  He owned 7,000 sheep, 3,000 camels, 500 teams of oxen, and 500 female donkeys. He also had many servants. He was, in fact, the richest person in that entire area.
1:4  Job's sons would take turns preparing feasts in their homes, and they would also invite their three sisters to celebrate with them.
1:5  When these celebrations ended--sometimes after several days--Job would purify his children. He would get up early in the morning and offer a burnt offering for each of them. For Job said to himself, "Perhaps my children have sinned and have cursed God in their hearts." This was Job's regular practice.
1:6  One day the members of the heavenly court came to present themselves before the LORD, and the Accuser, Satan, came with them.
1:7  "Where have you come from?" the LORD asked Satan. Satan answered the LORD, "I have been patrolling the earth, watching everything that's going on."
1:8  Then the LORD asked Satan, "Have you noticed my servant Job? He is the finest man in all the earth. He is blameless--a man of complete integrity. He fears God and stays away from evil."
1:9  Satan replied to the LORD, "Yes, but Job has good reason to fear God.
1:10  You have always put a wall of protection around him and his home and his property. You have made him prosper in everything he does. Look how rich he is!
1:11  But reach out and take away everything he has, and he will surely curse you to your face!"
1:12  "All right, you may test him," the LORD said to Satan. "Do whatever you want with everything he possesses, but don't harm him physically." So Satan left the LORD's presence.
1:13  One day when Job's sons and daughters were feasting at the oldest brother's house,
1:14  a messenger arrived at Job's home with this news: "Your oxen were plowing, with the donkeys feeding beside them,
1:15  when the Sabeans raided us. They stole all the animals and killed all the farmhands. I am the only one who escaped to tell you."
1:16  While he was still speaking, another messenger arrived with this news: "The fire of God has fallen from heaven and burned up your sheep and all the shepherds. I am the only one who escaped to tell you."
1:17  While he was still speaking, a third messenger arrived with this news: "Three bands of Chaldean raiders have stolen your camels and killed your servants. I am the only one who escaped to tell you."
1:18  While he was still speaking, another messenger arrived with this news: "Your sons and daughters were feasting in their oldest brother's home.
1:19  Suddenly, a powerful wind swept in from the wilderness and hit the house on all sides. The house collapsed, and all your children are dead. I am the only one who escaped to tell you."
1:20  Job stood up and tore his robe in grief. Then he shaved his head and fell to the ground to worship.
1:21  He said, "I came naked from my mother's womb, and I will be naked when I leave. The LORD gave me what I had, and the LORD has taken it away. Praise the name of the LORD!"
1:22  In all of this, Job did not sin by blaming God.