Job loses his wealth, family, and health

Job and his family

1Many years ago, a man named Job lived in the land of Uz.1.1 Uz: The exact location of this place is unknown, though it was possibly somewhere in north-west Arabia. He was a truly good person, who respected God and refused to do evil.

2Job had seven sons and three daughters. 3He owned seven thousand sheep, three thousand camels, five hundred pair of oxen, five hundred donkeys, and a large number of servants. He was the richest person in the East.

4Job's sons took turns having feasts in their homes, and they always invited their three sisters to join in the eating and drinking. 5After each feast, Job would send for his children and perform a ceremony, as a way of asking God to forgive them for any wrongs they might have done. He would get up early the next morning and offer a sacrifice for each of them, just in case they had sinned or silently cursed God.

Angels, the LORD, and Satan

6One day, when the angels1.6 angels: See the note at 15.8. had gathered around the LORD, and Satan1.6 Satan: Hebrew “the accuser”. was there with them,1.6: Gn 6.2. 7the LORD asked, “Satan, where have you been?”

Satan replied, “I have been going all over the earth.”

8Then the LORD asked, “What do you think of my servant Job? No one on earth is like him—he is a truly good person, who respects me and refuses to do evil.”

9“Why shouldn't he respect you?” Satan remarked.1.9-11: Rev 12.10. 10“You are like a wall protecting not only him, but his entire family and all his property. You make him successful in whatever he does, and his flocks and herds are everywhere. 11Try taking away everything he owns, and he will curse you to your face.”

12The LORD replied, “All right, Satan, do what you want with anything that belongs to him, but don't harm Job.”

Then Satan left.

Job loses everything

13Job's sons and daughters were having a feast in the home of his eldest son, 14when someone rushed up to Job and said, “While your servants were ploughing with your oxen, and your donkeys were nearby eating grass, 15a gang of Sabeans1.15 Sabeans: Perhaps the people of Sheba in what is now south-west Arabia (see Isaiah 60.6). attacked and stole the oxen and donkeys! Your other servants were killed, and I was the only one who escaped to tell you.”

16That servant was still speaking, when a second one came running up and saying, “God sent down a fire that killed your sheep and your servants. I am the only one who escaped to tell you.”

17Before that servant finished speaking, a third one raced up and said, “Three gangs of Chaldeans1.17 Chaldeans: People from the region of Babylonia, north-east of Palestine. attacked and stole your camels! All your other servants were killed, and I am the only one who escaped to tell you.”

18That servant was still speaking, when a fourth one dashed up and said, “Your children were having a feast and drinking wine at the home of your eldest son, 19when suddenly a storm from the desert blew the house down, crushing all your children. I am the only one who escaped to tell you.”

20When Job heard this, he tore his clothes and shaved his head because of his great sorrow. He knelt on the ground, then worshipped God 21and said:

“We bring nothing at birth;

we take nothing

with us at death.

The LORD alone gives and takes.

Praise the name of the LORD!”

22In spite of everything, Job did not sin or accuse God of doing wrong.