| NET Bible | New International Version |
| 1There was a man in the land of Uz whose name was Job. And that man was pure and upright, one who feared God and turned away from evil. | 1In the land of Uz there lived a man whose name was Job. This man was blameless and upright; he feared God and shunned evil. |
| 2Seven sons and three daughters were born to him. | 2He had seven sons and three daughters, |
| 3His possessions included 7,000 sheep, 3,000 camels, 500 yoke of oxen, and 500 female donkeys; in addition he had a very great household. Thus he was the greatest of all the people in the east. | 3and he owned seven thousand sheep, three thousand camels, five hundred yoke of oxen and five hundred donkeys, and had a large number of servants. He was the greatest man among all the people of the East. |
| 4Now his sons used to go and hold a feast in the house of each one in turn, and they would send and invite their three sisters to eat and to drink with them. | 4His sons used to hold feasts in their homes on their birthdays, and they would invite their three sisters to eat and drink with them. |
| 5When the days of their feasting were finished, Job would send for them and sanctify them; he would get up early in the morning and offer burnt offerings according to the number of them all. For Job thought, "Perhaps my children have sinned and cursed God in their hearts." This was Job's customary practice. | 5When a period of feasting had run its course, Job would make arrangements for them to be purified. Early in the morning he would sacrifice a burnt offering for each of them, thinking, "Perhaps my children have sinned and cursed God in their hearts." This was Job's regular custom. |
| 6Now the day came when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD--and Satan also arrived among them. | 6One day the angels came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan also came with them. |
| 7The LORD said to Satan, "Where have you come from?" And Satan answered the LORD, "From roving about on the earth, and from walking back and forth across it." | 7The LORD said to Satan, "Where have you come from?" Satan answered the LORD, "From roaming throughout the earth, going back and forth on it." |
| 8So the LORD said to Satan, "Have you considered my servant Job? There is no one like him on the earth, a pure and upright man, one who fears God and turns away from evil." | 8Then the LORD said to Satan, "Have you considered my servant Job? There is no one on earth like him; he is blameless and upright, a man who fears God and shuns evil." |
| 9Then Satan answered the LORD, "Is it for nothing that Job fears God? | 9"Does Job fear God for nothing?" Satan replied. |
| 10Have you not made a hedge around him and his household and all that he has on every side? You have blessed the work of his hands, and his livestock have increased in the land. | 10"Have you not put a hedge around him and his household and everything he has? You have blessed the work of his hands, so that his flocks and herds are spread throughout the land. |
| 11But extend your hand and strike everything he has, and he will no doubt curse you to your face!" | 11But now stretch out your hand and strike everything he has, and he will surely curse you to your face." |
| 12So the LORD said to Satan, "All right then, everything he has is in your power. Only do not extend your hand against the man himself!" So Satan went out from the presence of the LORD. | 12The LORD said to Satan, "Very well, then, everything he has is in your power, but on the man himself do not lay a finger." Then Satan went out from the presence of the LORD. |
| 13Now the day came when Job's sons and daughters were eating and drinking wine in their oldest brother's house, | 13One day when Job's sons and daughters were feasting and drinking wine at the oldest brother's house, |
| 14and a messenger came to Job, saying, "The oxen were plowing and the donkeys were grazing beside them, | 14a messenger came to Job and said, "The oxen were plowing and the donkeys were grazing nearby, |
| 15and the Sabeans swooped down and carried them all away, and they killed the servants with the sword! And I--only I alone--escaped to tell you!" | 15and the Sabeans attacked and made off with them. They put the servants to the sword, and I am the only one who has escaped to tell you!" |
| 16While this one was still speaking, another messenger arrived and said, "The fire of God has fallen from heaven and has burned up the sheep and the servants--it has consumed them! And I--only I alone--escaped to tell you!" | 16While he was still speaking, another messenger came and said, "The fire of God fell from the heavens and burned up the sheep and the servants, and I am the only one who has escaped to tell you!" |
| 17While this one was still speaking another messenger arrived and said, "The Chaldeans formed three bands and made a raid on the camels and carried them all away, and they killed the servants with the sword! And I--only I alone--escaped to tell you!" | 17While he was still speaking, another messenger came and said, "The Chaldeans formed three raiding parties and swept down on your camels and made off with them. They put the servants to the sword, and I am the only one who has escaped to tell you!" |
| 18While this one was still speaking another messenger arrived and said, "Your sons and your daughters were eating and drinking wine in their oldest brother's house, | 18While he was still speaking, yet another messenger came and said, "Your sons and daughters were feasting and drinking wine at the oldest brother's house, |
| 19and suddenly a great wind swept across the wilderness and struck the four corners of the house, and it fell on the young people, and they died! And I--only I alone--escaped to tell you!" | 19when suddenly a mighty wind swept in from the desert and struck the four corners of the house. It collapsed on them and they are dead, and I am the only one who has escaped to tell you!" |
| 20Then Job got up and tore his robe. He shaved his head, and then he threw himself down with his face to the ground. | 20At this, Job got up and tore his robe and shaved his head. Then he fell to the ground in worship |
| 21He said, "Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked I will return there. The LORD gives, and the LORD takes away. May the name of the LORD be blessed!" | 21and said: "Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked I will depart. The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away; may the name of the LORD be praised." |
| 22In all this Job did not sin, nor did he charge God with moral impropriety. | 22In all this, Job did not sin by charging God with wrongdoing. |
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