Job’s Character and Greatness
1 There was a man in the land of Uz whoseHebrew "his" name was Job. ThatHebrew "And that" man was blameless and upright and God-fearing and turning away from evil. 2 And seven sons and three daughters were born to him. 3 ThenHebrew "And" his livestock came to be seven thousand sheep and goats and three thousand camels and five hundred pairsHebrew "pair" of oxen and five hundred female donkeys, and he had very many slaves, and that man was greater than all the people of the east. 4 And his sons used to go and hold a feast at each other’s houseLiterally "at the house of a man," or "at the house of each" on his day, and they would send, and they would invite their three sisters to eat and to drink with them. 5 Then whenLiterally "And it would happen that," or "And it would happen when" the days of the feast had run their course, Job would send,Literally "and Job would send" and he would sanctify them. ThusHebrew "And" he would arise early in the morning and offer burnt offerings according to the number of all of them, because Job thought,Or "said" "Perhaps my children have sinned and cursedLiterally "blessed"— negative meaning by context God in their heart." This is what Job used to do all the time.Or "always"; literally "all the days"
6 And it happened one dayLiterally "the day" thatLiterally "and" the sons of GodOr "the heavenly beings," or "the angels" came to present themselves before Yahweh, and SatanHebrew "the accuser," or "the adversary" also came into their midst. 7 SoHebrew "And" Yahweh said to Satan,Hebrew "the accuser," or "the adversary" "From where have you come?"
ThenHebrew "And" SatanHebrew "the accuser," or "the adversary" answered Yahweh and said, "From roaming on the earth and from walking about in it."
8 SoHebrew "And" Yahweh said to Satan,Hebrew "the accuser," or "the adversary" "Have you consideredLiterally "set your heart" my servant Job? Indeed,Or "For," or "Because" there is no one like him on the earth—a blameless man and upright and God-fearing and turning away from evil."
9 ThenHebrew "And" SatanHebrew "the accuser," or "the adversary" answered Yahweh and said, "Does Job fear God for nothing? 10 Have youEmphatic personal pronoun could be translated "you yourself" not put a fence around him and his household and around all that belongs to himLiterally "all that is his" on every side?Literally "from around" You have blessed the work of his hands, and his livestockOr "possessions" has increased in the land. 11 But,Hebrew "And" on the other hand, stretch outOr "please" your hand and touch all that belongs to himLiterally "all that is his" and see whetherLiterally "if not" he will curseLiterally "bless"— negative meaning by context you to your face."
12 SoHebrew "And" Yahweh said to Satan,Hebrew "the accuser," or "the adversary" "Look, all that belongs to himLiterally "all that is his" is in your power.Literally "hand" Only do not stretch out your hand againstLiterally "to," or "unto" him." SoHebrew "And" SatanHebrew "the accuser," or "the adversary" went out from Yahweh’s presence.Literally "faces of"
The Adversary’s Attack on Job’s Possessions
13 And then there was one day whenHebrew "and" his sons and his daughters were eating and drinking wine in their firstborn brother’s house. 14 And a messenger came to Job and said, "The oxen were plowing, and the female donkeys were feeding beside them.Literally "on their hands"15 ThenHebrew "And" the Sabeans attacked,Literally "fell upon them" and they took them, and they slew the servants by the edge of the sword.Literally "with the mouth of the sword" ButHebrew "And" I escaped, even I alone, to tell you."
16 While this one was still speaking, anotherLiterally "this" came and said, "The fire of God fell from the heavens, and it blazed up against the sheep and goats and against the servants, and it consumed them. But I escaped, even I alone, to tell you."
17 While this one was still speaking, anotherLiterally "this" came and said, "The Chaldeans formed three divisions, and they made a raid on the camels, and they carried them away, and they struck your servants by the edge of the sword,Literally "with the mouth of the sword" but I escaped, even I alone, to tell you."
18 At the timeHebrew "Until" this one was speaking, anotherLiterally "this" came and said, "Your sons and your daughters were eating and drinking wine in their firstborn brother’s house. 19 And behold,Or "Look" a great wind came from across the desert, and it struck the four corners of the house so thatLiterally "and" it fell upon the young people, and they died. But I escaped, even I alone, to tell you."
20 ThenHebrew "And" Job arose and tore his outer garmentOr "robe" and shaved his head; thenHebrew "and" he fell upon the ground and he worshiped. 21 ThenHebrew "And" he said, "Naked I came out from my mother’s womb, and naked I will return there. Yahweh gives, and Yahweh takes. Let Yahweh’s name be blessed." 22 In all this, Job did not sin and did not charge God with wrongdoing.Literally "give unseemliness to God"