[0] The command of Queen Esther fixed these practices of Purim, and it was
recorded in writing. [1] There was a man in the land of Uz, whose name was
Job; and that man was blameless and upright, one who feared God, and turned
away from evil. [2] There were born to him seven sons and three daughters.
[3] He had seven thousand sheep, three thousand camels, five hundred yoke
of oxen, and five hundred she-asses, and very many servants; so that this
man was the greatest of all the people of the east. [4] His sons used to go
and hold a feast in the house of each on his day; and they would send and
invite their three sisters to eat and drink with them. [5] And when the
days of the feast had run their course, Job would send and sanctify them,
and he would rise early in the morning and offer 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 Job did continually. [6] Now
there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the
LORD, and Satan also came among them. [7] The LORD said to Satan, "Whence
have you come?" Satan answered the LORD, "From going to and fro on the
earth, and from walking up and down on it." [8] And the LORD said to Satan,
"Have you considered my servant Job, that there is none like him on the
earth, a blameless and upright man, who fears God and turns away from
evil?" [9] Then Satan answered the LORD, "Does Job fear God for nought?
[10] Hast thou not put a hedge about him and his house and all that he has,
on every side? Thou hast blessed the work of his hands, and his possessions
have increased in the land. [11] But put forth thy hand now, and touch all
that he has, and he will curse thee to thy face." [12] And the LORD said to
Satan, "Behold, all that he has is in your power; only upon himself do not
put forth your hand." So Satan went forth from the presence of the LORD.
[13] Now there was a day when his sons and daughters were eating and
drinking wine in their eldest brother's house; [14] and there came a
messenger to Job, and said, "The oxen were plowing and the asses feeding
beside them; [15] and the Sabe'ans fell upon them and took them, and slew
the servants with the edge of the sword; and I alone have escaped to tell
you." [16] While he was yet speaking, there came another, and said, "The
fire of God fell from heaven and burned up the sheep and the servants, and
consumed them; and I alone have escaped to tell you." [17] While he was yet
speaking, there came another, and said, "The Chalde'ans formed three
companies, and made a raid upon the camels and took them, and slew the
servants with the edge of the sword; and I alone have escaped to tell you."
[18] While he was yet speaking, there came another, and said, "Your sons
and daughters were eating and drinking wine in their eldest brother's
house; [19] and behold, a great wind came across the wilderness, and struck
the four corners of the house, and it fell upon the young people, and they
are dead; and I alone have escaped to tell you." [20] Then Job arose, and
rent his robe, and shaved his head, and fell upon the ground, and
worshiped. [21] And he said, "Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked
shall I return; the LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away; blessed be the
name of the LORD." [22] In all this Job did not sin or charge God with
wrong.
