Home Master Index
←Prev   Job 1 as rendered by/in  Next→ 


1:1  Many years ago, a man named Job lived in the land of Uz. He was a truly good person, who respected God and refused to do evil.
1:2  Job had 7 sons and 3 daughters.
1:3  He owned 7,000 sheep, 3,000 camels, 500 pair of oxen, 500 donkeys, and a large number of servants. He was the richest person in the East.
1:4  Job's sons took turns having feasts in their homes, and they always invited their three sisters to join in the eating and drinking.
1:5  After each feast, Job would send for his children and perform a ceremony, as a way of asking God to forgive them of any wrongs they may have done. He would get up early the next morning and offer a sacrifice for each of them, just in case they had sinned or silently cursed God.
1:6  One day, when the angels had gathered around the Lord, and Satan was there with them,
1:7  the Lord asked, “Satan, where have you been?” Satan replied, “I have been going all over the earth.”
1:8  Then the Lord asked, “What do you think of my servant Job? No one on earth is like him—he is a truly good person, who respects me and refuses to do evil.”
1:9  “Why shouldn't he respect you?” Satan remarked.
1:10  “You are like a wall protecting not only him, but his entire family and all his property. You make him successful in whatever he does, and his flocks and herds are everywhere.
1:11  Try taking away everything he owns, and he will curse you to your face.”
1:12  The Lord replied, “All right, Satan, do what you want with anything that belongs to him, but don't harm Job.” Then Satan left.
1:13  Job's sons and daughters were having a feast in the home of his oldest son,
1:14  when someone rushed up to Job and said, “While your servants were plowing with your oxen, and your donkeys were nearby eating grass,
1:15  a gang of Sabeans attacked and stole the oxen and donkeys! Your other servants were killed, and I am the only one who escaped to tell you.”
1:16  That servant was still speaking, when a second one came running and said, “God sent down a fire that killed your sheep and your servants. I am the only one who escaped to tell you.”
1:17  Before that servant finished speaking, a third one raced up and said, “Three gangs of Chaldeans attacked and stole your camels! All of your other servants were killed, and I am the only one who escaped to tell you.”
1:18  That servant was still speaking, when a fourth one dashed up and said, “Your children were having a feast and drinking wine at the home of your oldest son,
1:19  when suddenly a windstorm from the desert blew the house down, crushing all of your children. I am the only one who escaped to tell you.”
1:20  When Job heard this, he tore his clothes and shaved his head because of his great sorrow. He knelt on the ground, then worshiped God
1:21  and said: “We bring nothing at birth; we take nothing with us at death. The Lord alone gives and takes. Praise the name of the Lord!”
1:22  In spite of everything, Job did not sin or accuse God of doing wrong.