1:11 There was a man2 in the land of Uz3 whose4 name was Job.5 And that man was pure6 and upright,7 one who feared God and turned away from evil.8 1:2 Seven9 sons and three daughters were born to him.10 1:3 His possessions11 included12 seven thousand sheep, three thousand camels, five hundred yoke of oxen, and five hundred female donkeys; in addition he had a very great household.13 Thus he14 was the greatest of all the people in the east.15
1:4 Now, his sons used to go16 and hold17 a feast in the house of each one in turn,18 and they would send and invite19 their three20 sisters to eat and to drink with them. 1:5 When21 the days of their feasting were finished,22 Job would send23 for them and sanctify24 them; he would get up early25 in the morning and offer burnt offerings according to26 the number of them all. For Job thought, “Perhaps27 my children28 have sinned and cursed29 God in their hearts.” Job customarily did this.30
Satan’s Accusation of Job31
1:6 Now the day came when32 the sons of God33 came to present themselves before34 the Lord—and Satan35 also came among them. 1:7 The Lord said to Satan, “Where have you come from?”36 And Satan answered the Lord,37 “From roving about38 on the earth, and from walking up and down39 in it.” 1:8 So the Lord said to Satan, “Have you considered40 my servant Job? There41 is no one like him on the earth, a pure and upright man, one who fears God and turns away42 from evil.”
1:9 Then Satan answered the Lord, “Is it for nothing that Job fears God?43 1:10 Have you44 not made a hedge45 around him and his household and all that he has on every side? You have blessed46 the work of his hands, and his cattle47 have increased48 in the land. 1:11 But49 extend your hand and strike50 everything he has, and he will indeed51 curse you52 to your face!”
1:12 So the Lord said to Satan, “All right then,53 everything he has is54 in your power.55 Only do not extend your hand against the man himself!”56 So Satan went out57 from the presence of the Lord.58
Job’s Integrity in Adversity59
1:13 Now the day60 came when his sons and daughters were eating and drinking wine in their oldest brother’s house, 1:14 and a messenger came to Job, saying, “The oxen were plowing61 and the donkeys grazing beside them, 1:15 and the Sabeans62 swooped down63 and carried them all away, and they killed64 the servants with the sword!65 And I—only I alone66—escaped to tell you!”
1:16 While this one was still speaking,67 another messenger arrived68 and said, “The fire of God69 has fallen from heaven70 and has burned up the sheep and the servants—it has consumed them! And I—only I alone—escaped to tell you!”
1:17 While this one was still speaking another messenger arrived and said, “The Chaldeans71 formed three bands and made a raid72 on the camels and carried them all away, and they killed the servants with the sword!73 And I—only I alone—escaped to tell you!”
1:18 While this one was still speaking another messenger arrived and said, “Your sons and your daughters were eating and drinking wine in their oldest brother’s house, 1:19 and suddenly74 there came a great wind75 across76 the wilderness and struck the four corners of the house, and it fell on the young people, and they died! And I—only I alone—escaped to tell you!”
1:20 Then Job got up77 and tore his robe.78 He shaved his head,79 and then he fell down to the ground with his face to the ground.80 1:21 He said, “Naked81 I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I will return there.82 The Lord gives, and the Lord takes away.83 May the name of the Lord84 be blessed!” 1:22 In all this Job did not sin, nor did he charge God with moral impropriety.85
Satan’s Additional Charge