1 There lived in the land of Uz a man named Job, and that man was blameless and upright, fearing God and turning from evil.
2 To him were born seven sons and three daughters.
3 His possessions were seven thousand sheep, three thousand camels, five hundred pairs of oxen and five hundred she-donkeys, with a great many servants besides; and that man was greater than all the sons of the east.
4 His sons would go and make a feast at the house of each one in turn, on his own day, and they would send for their three sisters, inviting them to eat and drink with them.
5 When the round of feast days was complete, Job would send for them and sanctify them. He rose early in the morning and offered up burnt offerings for every one of them, for Job said, "It may be that my sons have sinned and cursed God in their hearts." Job did so at all times.
6 One day the sons of God came to take their stand before the LORD, and Satan too came in among them.
7 The LORD said to Satan, "From where do you come?" And Satan answered the LORD, "From roving about on the earth and walking around in it."
8 Then the LORD said to Satan, "Have you set your mind on my servant Job? There is none like him on earth: a man blameless and upright, who fears God and turns from evil."
9 Satan answered the LORD and said, "Is it without cause that Job fears God?
10 Have you not fenced him in on every side, him and his house and everything he owns? The work of his hands you have blessed, and his flocks and herds have burst out over the land.
11 But put out your hand now and strike all he has, and he will curse you to your very face."
12 And the LORD said to Satan, "See, everything he has is in your power; only against him do not put out your hand." Then Satan left the presence of the LORD.
13 The day came when his sons and daughters were eating and drinking wine at the house of their eldest brother,
14 and a messenger came to Job and said, "The oxen were plowing, and the donkeys were feeding at their side,
15 when the Sabeans swooped down and carried them off. They put the servants to the sword, and I, only I by myself, escaped to tell you."
16 He was still speaking when another came and said, "Fire from God fell from the sky and blazed among the sheep and the servants and devoured them; I, only I by myself, escaped to tell you."
17 He was still speaking when another came and said, "The Chaldeans set out in three bands, rushed upon the camels and carried them off; they put the servants to the sword, and I, only I by myself, escaped to tell you."
18 He was still speaking when another came and said, "Your sons and daughters were eating and drinking wine at the house of their eldest brother,
19 and suddenly a mighty wind came in from beyond the desert and struck the four corners of the house. It fell on the young people, and they are dead; I, only I by myself, escaped to tell you."
20 At this Job rose, tore his robe and shaved his head; then he fell to the ground and bowed in worship.
21 He said, "Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked I will go back there. The LORD gave and the LORD has taken; may the name of the LORD be blessed."
22 Through all this Job did not sin, nor did he ascribe anything unseemly to God.