1 There
was a man in the land of Uz, whose name was Job; and that man was perfect
and upright, and one that feared God, and eschewed evil. 2 And
there were born unto him seven sons and three daughters. 3 His
substance also was seven thousand sheep, and three thousand camels, and
five hundred yoke of oxen, and five hundred she asses, and a very great
household; so that this man was the greatest of all the men of the east. 4 And
his sons went and feasted in their houses, every one his day; and sent
and called for their three sisters to eat and to drink with them. 5 And
it was so, when the days of their feasting were gone about, that Job sent
and sanctified them, and rose up early in the morning, and offered burnt
offerings according to the number of them all: for Job said, It may be
that my sons have sinned, and cursed God in their hearts. Thus did Job
continually. 6 Now
there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before
the LORD, and Satan came also among them. 7 And
the LORD said unto Satan, Whence comest thou? Then Satan answered the
LORD, and said, From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up
and down in it. 8 And
the LORD said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there
is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that
feareth God, and escheweth evil? 9 Then
Satan answered the LORD, and said, Doth Job fear God for nought? 10 Hast
not thou made an hedge about him, and about his house, and about all that
he hath on every side? thou hast blessed the work of his hands, and his
substance is increased in the land.
11
But put forth thine hand now, and touch all that he hath, and he will curse
thee to thy face. 12 And
the LORD said unto Satan, Behold, all that he hath is in thy power; only
upon himself put not forth thine hand. So Satan went forth from the presence
of the LORD. 13 And
there was a day when his sons and his daughters were eating and drinking
wine in their eldest brother's house: 14 And
there came a messenger unto Job, and said, The oxen were plowing, and the
asses feeding beside them: 15 And
the Sabeans fell upon them, and took them away; yea, they have slain the
servants with the edge of the sword; and I only am escaped alone to tell
thee. 16 While
he was yet speaking, there came also another, and said, The fire of God
is fallen from heaven, and hath burned up the sheep, and the servants, and
consumed them; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee. 17 While
he was yet speaking, there came also another, and said, The Chaldeans made
out three bands, and fell upon the camels, and have carried them away, yea,
and slain the servants with the edge of the sword; and I only am escaped
alone to tell thee. 18 While
he was yet speaking, there came also another, and said, Thy sons and thy
daughters were eating and drinking wine in their eldest brother's house: 19 And,
behold, there came a great wind from the wilderness, and smote the four
corners of the house, and it fell upon the young men, and they are dead;
and I only am escaped alone to tell thee. 20 Then
Job arose, and rent his mantle, and shaved his head, and fell down upon
the ground, and worshipped, 21 And
said, Naked came I out of my mother's womb, and naked shall I return thither:
the LORD gave, and the LORD hath taken away; blessed be the name of the
LORD. 22 In
all this Job sinned not, nor charged God foolishly.