Faithfulness of Job
There was a man in the land of
Uz, whose name was Job. And that man was perfect and upright, and one
who feared God and turned aside from evil.
And there were born to him seven sons and three
daughters.
And his possessions were 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.
And his sons went and feasted in the house of each
one on his day. And they sent and called for their three sisters to eat
and to drink with them.
And when they had gone around the day of feasting,
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. So Job did always.
And a day came when the sons of God came to
present themselves before the LORD. And Satan also came among them.
And the LORD said to Satan, From where do you
come? Then Satan answered the LORD and said, From going to and fro in
the earth, and from walking up and down in it.
And the LORD said to Satan, Have you set your
heart against My servant Job, because there is none like him in the
earth, a perfect and upright man, one who fears God and turns away from
evil?
And Satan answered the LORD and said, Does Job
fear God for nothing?
Have You not made a hedge around him, and around
his house, and around all that he has on every side? You have blessed
the work of his hands, and his livestock have increased in the land.
But put forth Your hand now, and touch all that he
has, and he will curse You to Your face.
And the LORD said to Satan, Behold, all that he
has is in your power. Only do not lay your hand upon him. And Satan
went forth from the presence of the LORD.
And a day came when his sons and his daughters
were eating and drinking wine in their oldest brother's house.
And there came a messenger to Job and said, The
oxen were plowing, and the asses feeding beside them.
And the Sabeans fell on and took them away. Yea,
they have killed the servants with the edge of the sword. And I only
have escaped alone to tell you.
While he was still speaking, there also came
another and said, The fire of God has fallen from the heavens and has
burned up the sheep and the servants, and destroyed them. And I only
have escaped alone to tell you.
While he was still speaking, there also came
another and said, The Chaldeans made out three bands and swooped down
upon the camels, and have carried them away, yea, and have killed the
servants with the edge of the sword. And I only have escaped alone to
tell you.
While he was still speaking, there also came another and
said, Your sons and your daughters were eating and drinking wine in
their oldest brother's house.
And, behold, a great wind came from the wilderness
and struck the four corners of the house, and it fell upon the young
men, and they are dead. And I only have escaped alone to tell you.
And Job arose, and tore his robe, and shaved his
head, and fell down upon the ground and worshiped.
And he said, I came naked out of my mother's womb,
and naked shall I return there. The LORD gave, and the LORD has taken
away. Blessed be the name of the LORD.
In all this Job did not sin, nor charge God
foolishly.