LEB JOB Chapter 1

Job’s Character and Greatness

1 There was a man in the land of Uz whose[fn] name was Job. That[fn] man was blameless and upright and God-fearing and turning away from evil. 2 And seven sons and three daughters were born to him. 3 Then[fn] his livestock came to be seven thousand sheep and goats and three thousand camels and five hundred pairs[fn] of oxen and five hundred female donkeys, and he had very many slaves, and that man was greater than all the people of the east. 4 And his sons used to go and hold a feast at each other’s house[fn] on his day, and they would send, and they would invite their three sisters to eat and to drink with them. 5 Then when[fn] the days of the feast had run their course, Job would send,[fn] and he would sanctify them. Thus[fn] he would arise early in the morning and offer burnt offerings according to the number of all of them, because Job thought,[fn] “Perhaps my children have sinned and cursed[fn] God in their heart.” This is what Job used to do all the time.[fn]

6 And it happened one day[fn] that[fn] the sons of God[fn] came to present themselves before Yahweh, and Satan[fn] also came into their midst.

7 So[fn] Yahweh said to Satan,[fn] “From where have you come?” Then[fn] Satan[fn] answered Yahweh and said, “From roaming on the earth and from walking about in it.”

8 So[fn] Yahweh said to Satan,[fn] “Have you considered[fn] my servant Job? Indeed,[fn] there is no one like him on the earth—a blameless man and upright and God-fearing and turning away from evil.”

9 Then[fn] Satan[fn] answered Yahweh and said, “Does Job fear God for nothing? 10 Have you[fn] not put a fence around him and his household and around all that belongs to him[fn] on every side?[fn] You have blessed the work of his hands, and his livestock[fn] has increased in the land. 11 But,[fn] on the other hand, stretch out[fn] your hand and touch all that belongs to him[fn] and see whether[fn] he will curse[fn] you to your face.”

12 So[fn] Yahweh said to Satan,[fn] “Look, all that belongs to him[fn] is in your power.[fn] Only do not stretch out your hand against[fn] him.” So[fn] Satan[fn] went out from Yahweh’s presence.[fn]

The Adversary’s Attack on Job’s Possessions

13 And then there was one day when[fn] his sons and his daughters were eating and drinking wine in their firstborn brother’s house. 14 And a messenger came to Job and said, “The oxen were plowing, and the female donkeys were feeding beside them.[fn] 15 Then[fn] the Sabeans attacked,[fn] and they took them, and they slew the servants by the edge of the sword.[fn] But[fn] I escaped, even I alone, to tell you.”

16 While this one was still speaking, another[fn] came and said, “The fire of God fell from the heavens, and it blazed up against the sheep and goats and against the servants, and it consumed them. But I escaped, even I alone, to tell you.”

17 While this one was still speaking, another[fn] came and said, “The Chaldeans formed three divisions, and they made a raid on the camels, and they carried them away, and they struck your servants by the edge of the sword,[fn] but I escaped, even I alone, to tell you.”

18 At the time[fn] this one was speaking, another[fn] came and said, “Your sons and your daughters were eating and drinking wine in their firstborn brother’s house. 19 And behold,[fn] a great wind came from across the desert, and it struck the four corners of the house so that[fn] it fell upon the young people, and they died. But I escaped, even I alone, to tell you.”

20 Then[fn] Job arose and tore his outer garment[fn] and shaved his head; then[fn] he fell upon the ground and he worshiped. 21 Then[fn] he said, “Naked I came out from my mother’s womb, and naked I will return there. Yahweh gives, and Yahweh takes. Let Yahweh’s name be blessed.” 22 In all this, Job did not sin and did not charge God with wrongdoing.[fn]