Job 1
1 There was a man in the land of Uz named Job. He was blameless and upright, feared God, and turned away from evil.
2 He had seven sons and three daughters.
3 He owned seven thousand sheep, three thousand camels, five hundred yoke of oxen, five hundred female donkeys, and a very large number of servants. This man was the greatest of all the people of the East.
4 His sons would hold feasts in each one’s house, on that one’s appointed day, and they would send for their three sisters to eat and drink with them.
5 When the days of feasting had come to an end, Job would send for them and consecrate them. He would rise early in the morning and offer burnt offerings for each of them, because Job would say, “Perhaps my children have sinned and cursed God in their hearts.” Job did this every day.
6 One day the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and the Accuser came among them as well.
7 The LORD asked the Accuser, “Where have you come from?” The Accuser answered the LORD, “From roaming the earth and walking about on it.”
8 The LORD said to the Accuser, “Have you noticed my servant Job? There is no one like him on earth: a blameless and upright man who fears God and turns away from evil.”
9 The Accuser answered the LORD, “Does Job fear God for nothing?
10 Haven’t you put a hedge around him, his household, and everything he has? You have blessed the work of his hands, and his flocks and herds have spread throughout the land.
11 But stretch out your hand and strike everything he has, and surely he will curse you to your face.”
12 The LORD said to the Accuser, “Look, everything he has is in your hand; only do not stretch out your hand against him himself.” Then the Accuser left the LORD’s presence.
13 One day Job’s sons and daughters were eating and drinking wine in the house of their oldest brother.
14 A messenger came to Job and said, “The oxen were plowing, and the female donkeys were grazing beside them.
15 Then the Sabeans attacked and carried them off, and they killed the servants with the sword. I alone escaped to tell you.”
16 While he was still speaking, another came and said, “Fire from God fell from heaven, burned up the sheep and the servants, and consumed them. I alone escaped to tell you.”
17 While he was still speaking, another came and said, “The Chaldeans formed three bands, raided the camels, and carried them off. They killed the servants with the sword. I alone escaped to tell you.”
18 While he was still speaking, another came and said, “Your sons and daughters were eating and drinking wine in the house of their oldest brother.
19 Suddenly a great wind came from the desert and struck the four corners of the house. It collapsed on the young people, and they died. I alone escaped to tell you.”
20 Then Job stood up, tore his robe, shaved his head, fell to the ground, and worshiped.
21 He said, “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I will return there. The LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD.”
22 In all this, Job did not sin or charge God with anything improper.
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