Job 1

There was a man in the land of Uz, whose name was Job; and that man was perfect and upright, and one that feared God, and eschewed evil.

In the land of Uz lived a man named Job. He was blameless and a man of integrity, a man who revered God and consciously avoided all evil.

And there were born unto him seven sons and three daughters.

He was blessed with the joy of seven sons and the grace of three daughters.

His substance also was seven thousand sheep, and three thousand camels, and five hundred yoke of oxen, and five hundred she asses, and a very great household; so that this man was the greatest of all the men of the east.

He had a vast wealth of 7000 sheep, 3000 camels, 500 pairs of oxen, and 500 female donkeys, along with a great many servants. His prosperity was unmatched, making him the most prominent man in the east.

And his sons went and feasted in their houses, every one his day; and sent and called for their three sisters to eat and to drink with them.

His sons joyfully hosted feasts in their homes, each on his special day. They warmly invited their three beloved sisters to join them in the merriment of eating and drinking.

And it was so, when the days of their feasting were gone about, that Job sent and sanctified them, and rose up early in the morning, and offered burnt offerings according to the number of them all: for Job said, It may be that my sons have sinned, and cursed God in their hearts. Thus did Job continually.

When their days of celebration ended, Job would send for his children and purify them, rising early to offer sacrifices for each one. He did this because he thought, "Perhaps my children have sinned and cursed God in their hearts." This was Job's regular practice.

Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan came also among them.

One day, God's children gathered before Him, and Satan, too, slipped in among them.

And the LORD said unto Satan, Whence comest thou? Then Satan answered the LORD, and said, From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it.

With a stern voice, the Lord questioned Satan, "Where have you been?" Satan responded nonchalantly, "I've been wandering around the earth, exploring every nook and cranny."

And the LORD said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil?

The Lord asked Satan, "Have you noticed my loyal servant Job? There's no one on earth like him. He's a good, honest man who respects me and avoids all evil."

Then Satan answered the LORD, and said, Doth Job fear God for nought?

Then Satan responded to the LORD, questioning, "Does Job truly respect God without any reason?"

Hast not thou made an hedge about him, and about his house, and about all that he hath on every side? thou hast blessed the work of his hands, and his substance is increased in the land.

Haven't you protected him, his home, and everything he owns? You've blessed his efforts, and his wealth has grown in the land.

But put forth thine hand now, and touch all that he hath, and he will curse thee to thy face.

Reach out now, strike everything he owns, and he will curse you to your face.

And the LORD said unto Satan, Behold, all that he hath is in thy power; only upon himself put not forth thine hand. So Satan went forth from the presence of the LORD.

God told Satan, "You can control everything he owns, but don't harm him physically." With that, Satan left God's presence.

And there was a day when his sons and his daughters were eating and drinking wine in their eldest brother’s house:

On a certain day, his children were joyfully feasting and savoring wine at their eldest brother's home.

And there came a messenger unto Job, and said, The oxen were plowing, and the asses feeding beside them:

A messenger rushed to Job, breathlessly reporting, "The oxen were hard at work in the fields, and the donkeys were grazing nearby."

And the Sabeans fell upon them, and took them away; yea, they have slain the servants with the edge of the sword; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee.

The Sabeans attacked unexpectedly, taking everything. They mercilessly killed the servants with their swords. I'm the only survivor, left to share this tragic news.

While he was yet speaking, there came also another, and said, The fire of God is fallen from heaven, and hath burned up the sheep, and the servants, and consumed them; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee.

As he was still talking, another person arrived, breathless and terrified. "Fire from God has fallen from the sky," he stammered. "It's burned up the sheep, the servants... everything. I'm the only survivor, and I had to tell you."

While he was yet speaking, there came also another, and said, The Chaldeans made out three bands, and fell upon the camels, and have carried them away, yea, and slain the servants with the edge of the sword; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee.

As he was still talking, another person arrived with alarming news. He said, "The Chaldeans attacked in three groups. They've stolen our camels and killed our servants with their swords. I'm the only one who survived to deliver this dreadful news to you."

While he was yet speaking, there came also another, and said, Thy sons and thy daughters were eating and drinking wine in their eldest brother’s house:

Even as he was still talking, another person arrived with news. He said, "Your children were enjoying a meal and sipping wine at their eldest brother's home."

And, behold, there came a great wind from the wilderness, and smote the four corners of the house, and it fell upon the young men, and they are dead; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee.

Suddenly, a fierce wind roared in from the wilderness, violently shaking the house from all sides. Tragically, the house collapsed on the young men, killing them. I'm the sole survivor, here to deliver this heartbreaking news.

Then Job arose, and rent his mantle, and shaved his head, and fell down upon the ground, and worshipped,

Overwhelmed, Job stood up, tore his clothes in despair, shaved his head in mourning, then collapsed to the ground in reverence and worship.

And said, Naked came I out of my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return thither: the LORD gave, and the LORD hath taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD.

I arrived in this world with nothing, and with nothing, I will leave. The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.

In all this Job sinned not, nor charged God foolishly.

Despite everything, Job didn't sin or accuse God of doing wrong.