1There once was a man named Job who lived in the land of Uz. He was blameless—a man of complete integrity. He feared God and stayed away from evil.H376H776H5780H8034H347H376H8535H3477H3373H430H5493H74512He had seven sons and three daughters.H3205H7651H1121H7969H13233He owned 7,000 sheep, 3,000 camels, 500 teams of oxen, and 500 female donkeys. He also had many servants. He was, in fact, the richest person in that entire area.H4735H7651H505H6629H7969H505H1581H2568H3967H6776H1241H2568H3967H860H3966H7227H5657H376H1419H1121H69244Job's sons would take turns preparing feasts in their homes, and they would also invite their three sisters to celebrate with them.H1121H1980H4960H6213H1004H376H3117H7971H7121H7969H269H398H83545When these celebrations ended—sometimes after several days—Job would purify his children. He would get up early in the morning and offer a burnt offering for each of them. For Job said to himself, "Perhaps my children have sinned and have cursed God in their hearts." This was Job's regular practice.H3117H4960H5362H347H7971H6942H7925H1242H5927H5930H4557H347H559H194H1121H2398H1288H430H3824H6213H347H3117
Job’s First Test
6One day the members of the heavenly court came to present themselves before the LORD, and the Accuser, Satan, came with them.H3117H1121H430H935H3320H3068H7854H935H84327"Where have you come from?" the LORD asked Satan. Satan answered the LORD, "I have been patrolling the earth, watching everything that's going on."H3068H559H7854H370H935H7854H6030H3068H559H7751H776H19808Then the LORD asked Satan, "Have you noticed my servant Job? He is the finest man in all the earth. He is blameless—a man of complete integrity. He fears God and stays away from evil."H3068H559H7854H7760H3820H5650H347H776H8535H3477H376H3373H430H5493H74519Satan replied to the LORD, "Yes, but Job has good reason to fear God.H7854H6030H3068H559H347H3372H430H260010You have always put a wall of protection around him and his home and his property. You have made him prosper in everything he does. Look how rich he is!H7753H1157H1004H5439H1288H4639H3027H4735H6555H77611But reach out and take away everything he has, and he will surely curse you to your face!"H199H7971H3027H5060H1288H3808H644012"All right, you may test him," the LORD said to Satan. "Do whatever you want with everything he possesses, but don't harm him physically." So Satan left the LORD's presence.H3068H559H7854H3027H7971H3027H7854H3318H6440H306813One day when Job's sons and daughters were feasting at the oldest brother's house,H3117H1121H1323H398H8354H3196H1060H251H100414a messenger arrived at Job's home with this news: "Your oxen were plowing, with the donkeys feeding beside them,H935H4397H347H559H1241H2790H860H7462H302715when the Sabeans raided us. They stole all the animals and killed all the farmhands. I am the only one who escaped to tell you."H7614H5307H3947H5221H5288H6310H2719H4422H504616While he was still speaking, another messenger arrived with this news: "The fire of God has fallen from heaven and burned up your sheep and all the shepherds. I am the only one who escaped to tell you."H1696H935H559H784H430H5307H8064H1197H6629H5288H398H4422H504617While he was still speaking, a third messenger arrived with this news: "Three bands of Chaldean raiders have stolen your camels and killed your servants. I am the only one who escaped to tell you."H1696H935H559H3778H7760H7969H7218H6584H1581H3947H5221H5288H6310H2719H4422H504618While he was still speaking, another messenger arrived with this news: "Your sons and daughters were feasting in their oldest brother's home.H1696H935H559H1121H1323H398H8354H3196H1060H251H100419Suddenly, a powerful wind swept in from the wilderness and hit the house on all sides. The house collapsed, and all your children are dead. I am the only one who escaped to tell you."H935H1419H7307H5676H4057H5060H702H6438H1004H5307H5288H4191H4422H504620Job stood up and tore his robe in grief. Then he shaved his head and fell to the ground to worship.H347H6965H7167H4598H1494H7218H5307H776H781221He said, "I came naked from my mother's womb, and I will be naked when I leave. The LORD gave me what I had, and the LORD has taken it away. Praise the name of the LORD!"H559H6174H3318H517H990H6174H7725H3068H5414H3068H3947H1288H8034H306822In all of this, Job did not sin by blaming God.H347H2398H5414H430H8604
Unknown
came to present themselves before the LORD, and the Accuser, Satan, came with them.H3117
