1There was a man in the land of Uz whose name was Job. That man was blameless and upright. He feared God and turned away from evil.
2He had seven sons and three daughters.
3He also owned seven thousand sheep, three thousand camels, five hundred yoke of oxen, and five hundred female donkeys, and he had a very great household. So this man was the greatest of all the men of the east.
4His sons used to go and hold a feast in their houses, each one on his own day. They would send and invite their three sisters to eat and drink with them.
5When the days of their feasting were over, Job would send for them and make them holy. He would get up early in the morning and offer burnt offerings, one for each of them. For Job said, "It may be that my sons have sinned, and cursed God in their hearts." Job did this all the time.
6Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan came among them too.
7The LORD said to Satan, "Where have you come from?" Then Satan answered the LORD, "From going to and fro on the earth, and from walking up and down in it."
8The LORD said to Satan, "Have you thought about my servant Job? There is no one like him on the earth. He is a blameless and upright man, one who fears God and turns away from evil."
9Then Satan answered the LORD, "Does Job fear God for nothing?"
10Have you not put 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 flocks and herds have spread through the land.
11"But stretch out your hand now, and touch all that he has, and he will curse you to your face."
12The LORD said to Satan, "Look, all that he has is in your power. Only do not stretch out your hand against the man himself." So Satan went out from the presence of the LORD.
13There was a day when Job's sons and daughters were eating and drinking wine in their oldest brother's house.
14A messenger came to Job and said, "The oxen were plowing, and the donkeys were feeding beside them."
15"The Sabeans attacked them and carried them off. They killed the servants with the sword. I am the only one who escaped to tell you."
16While he was still speaking, another came and said, "The fire of God has fallen from heaven. It has burned up the sheep and the servants, and destroyed them. I am the only one who escaped to tell you."
17While he was still speaking, another came and said, "The Chaldeans formed three bands. They swept down on the camels and carried them off, and they killed the servants with the sword. I am the only one who escaped to tell you."
18While he was still speaking, another came and said, "Your sons and your daughters were eating and drinking wine in their oldest brother's house."
19"Look, a great wind came from the desert and struck the four corners of the house. It fell on the young men, and they are dead. I am the only one who escaped to tell you."
20Then Job stood up and tore his robe and shaved his head. He fell down on the ground and worshipped.
21He said, "Naked I came out of my mother's womb, and naked I will return there. The LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away. Blessed be the name of the LORD."
22In all this Job did not sin, and he did not blame God foolishly.