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 eschewed 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 men of the east . 4And 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. 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 cursed God in their hearts . Thus did Job continually .
The Heavenly Court
6Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD , and Satan came also among them. 7And 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. 8And 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 ? 9Then Satan answered the LORD , and said , Doth Job fear God for nought ? 10Hast 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 . 11But put forth thine hand now, and touch all that he hath, and he will curse thee to thy face . 12And 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 .
Job's Suffering Begins
13And there was a day when his sons and his daughters were eating and drinking wine in their eldest brother’s house : 14And 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 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. 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 mantle , and shaved his head , and fell down upon the ground , and worshipped , 21And 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 . 22In all this Job sinned not, nor charged God foolishly .