Job’s Character and Wealth
(James 5:7–12)

1There was a man in the land of Uz—Job was his name—and that man was blameless and upright and fearing God and turning away from evil. 2And there were born to him seven sons and three daughters. 3And his possessions were seven thousand sheep, and three thousand camels, and five hundred pair of oxen, and five hundred female donkeys, and a very large service. And that man was greater than all the sons of the East.

4And his sons would go and make a feast at the house of each man in his day, and they would send and call to their three sisters to eat and to drink with them.

5And it came to pass that the days of the feasting had gone around, and Job would send and would sanctify them, and he would rise early in the morning and offer up burnt offerings, the number of them all, for Job said, “Perhaps my sons have sinned and cursed God in their hearts.” Thus Job did all the days.

Satan’s First Attack

6And there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before YHWH, that Satan† also came into their midst.

7And YHWH said to Satan, “From where have you come?”

And Satan answered YHWH and said, “From roaming on the earth, and walking back and forth on it.”

8And YHWH said to Satan, “Have you set your heart upon My servant Job, how there is no one like him on the earth, a man blameless and upright, fearing God and turning aside from evil?”

9And Satan answered YHWH and said, “Does Job fear God for nothing? 10Have you not put a hedge around him and around his house, and around all that is unto him, surrounding on every side? The work of his hands You have blessed, and the animals of his possession have burst forth in the land. 11But now stretch out Your hand and touch against all that is unto him, if he will not curse you to your face!”

12And YHWH said to Satan, “Behold, all that is unto him is in your hand; only against him do not stretch out your hand.”

And Satan went out from the face of YHWH.

Job Loses His Children and Possessions

13And there came to be a day when his sons and his daughters were eating and drinking wine in the house of their brother, the firstborn. 14And a messenger came to Job and said, “The oxen were plowing and the donkeys were grazing at their sides, 15when the Sabeans fell on them and took them, and they struck the servants with the mouth of the sword—and only I have escaped, by myself alone, to declare it to you.”

16Still this one was speaking, when this one came and said, “The fire of God fell from the heavens and burned up the sheep and the servants, and it consumed them—and only I have escaped, by myself alone, to declare it to you.”

17Still this one was speaking, when this one came and said, “The Chaldeans made three heads and rushed upon the camels and took them away, and they struck the servants with the mouth of the sword—and only I have escaped, by myself alone, to declare it to you.”

18Still this one was speaking, when this one came and said, “Your sons and daughters were eating and drinking wine in the house of their brother, the firstborn, 19and behold, a great wind came from across the desert and struck against the four corners of the house, and it fell upon the young people, and they died—and only I have escaped, by myself alone, to declare it to you.”

20And Job arose and tore his robe and shaved his head, and he fell to the ground and bowed low, 21and he said,

“Naked I came forth from the womb of my mother,

and naked I shall return there.

YHWH gave, and YHWH has taken away.

Let the name of YHWH be blessed.”

22In all this Job did not sin, and he did not ascribe foolishness to God.