Open English Translation JOB Chapter 1

1 Once there was a man called Iyyov (Job) who lived in the Uz region. He was blameless and righteous—both obeying God and avoiding evil. 2 He had seven sons and three daughters, 3 and he owned 7,000 sheep, 3,000 camels, 1,000 cattle, and 500 donkeys, as well as many slaves. Iyyov was richer than anyone else who lived in the area east of the Jordan River. 4 Iyyov’s sons regularly held feasts in their homes, and whenever any of them held a feast, he would invite all his brothers and sisters to share the meal with him. 5 Then once a feast was over, Iyyov would send for his children and consecrate them—he got up early in the morning and offered burnt offerings for each of them, because Iyyov said, “Perhaps my children have sinned and cursed[fn] God in their hearts.” It was Job’s regular habit to intercede for his children.

6 It was the day that God’s sons[fn] came to present themselves to Yahweh, and the adversary (Satan) was also there among them.[ref] 7 Yahweh asked him, “Where have you just come from?”

“I have come from the earth, where I was travelling around to see what was going on.” Satan replied.

8 “Have you noticed my servant Iyyov?” Yahweh asked. “There’s no one else like him on the whole earth—a blameless and righteous man who obeys me God and avoids anything evil.”

9 “Does Iyyov get nothing back for respecting God?” Satan answered Yahweh. 10 “Don’t you constantly protect him and his household and everything that’s his? You’ve blessed what he works on, and his livestock have multiplied prolifically. 11 However, just stretch out your hand and ruin everything he has, then we’ll see that he’ll curse you to your face.”

12 “Listen, I’ll cede you control over everything he has,” Yahweh replied. “Only just don’t do anything against Iyyov himself.” So the adversary went away from Yahweh’s presence.

13 So one day when Iyyov’s sons and his daughters were eating and drinking wine in their eldest brother’s house, 14 a messenger came to Iyyov and reported, “While the oxen were plowing and the donkeys were feeding nearby, 15 the Sabeans attacked with their swords and stole them all. They killed all your slaves except that I managed to escape to tell you.”

16 While he was still speaking, another messenger came and said, “The fire of God fell from the sky and burnt up the sheep and the shepherds. Only ashes are left, except that I alone escaped to tell you.”

17 While he was still speaking, another one came and explained, “The Chaldeans formed into three bands and raided the camels and took them, and they attacked the slaves with their swords, and I’m the only one who escaped to come and tell you.”

18 While he was still speaking, another messenger came and said, “Your sons and daughters were eating and drinking wine in the house of their eldest brother 19 when suddenly a freak wind came from across the desert and struck the house. It collapsed on the young people and killed them, and only I alone have escaped to tell you.”

20 Then Iyyov stood up and tore his robe and shaved his head. Then he knelt with his face to the ground and worshipped God, 21 saying, “I came naked from my mother’s womb, and I will leave this life naked. Yahweh gave, and Yahweh has taken. May Yahweh’s reputation??? be blessed.”

22 Through all of that, Iyyov didn’t disobey God or accuse him of being evil.