1There 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 turned away from evil . 2And there were born unto him seven sons and three daughters . 3His 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 children of the east . 4And his sons went and held a feast in the house of each one upon his day ; and they sent and called for their three sisters to eat and to drink with them . 5And 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 renounced God in their hearts . Thus did Job continually .
The Heavenly Court
6Now it came to pass on the day when the sons of God came to present themselves before Jehovah , that Satan also came among them . 7And Jehovah said unto Satan , Whence comest thou ? Then Satan answered Jehovah , and said , From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it . 8And Jehovah said unto Satan , Hast thou considered my servant Job? for there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man , one that feareth God , and turneth away from evil . 9Then Satan answered Jehovah , and said , Doth Job fear God for nought ? 10Hast not thou made a 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. 11But put forth thy hand now , and touch all that he hath , and he will renounce thee to thy face . 12And Jehovah said unto Satan , Behold , all that he hath is in thy power ; only upon himself put not forth thy hand . So Satan went forth from the presence of Jehovah .
Job's Suffering Begins
13And it fell on a day when his sons and his daughters were eating and drinking wine in their eldest brother’s house , 14that there came a messenger unto Job, and said , The oxen were plowing , and the asses feeding beside them ; 15and 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 . 16While 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 . 17While he was yet speaking , there came also another , and said , The Chaldeans made three bands , and fell upon the camels , and have taken them away , yea, and slain the servants with the edge of the sword ; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee . 18While 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 ; 19and , 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 . 20Then Job arose , and rent his robe , and shaved his head , and fell down upon the ground, and worshipped ; 21and he said , Naked came I out of my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return thither : Jehovah gave , and Jehovah hath taken away ; blessed be the name of Jehovah . 22In all this Job sinned not , nor charged God foolishly .