Job 1

I. The Prologue (1:1-2:13)

Job’s Good Life¹

1:1² There was a man³ in the land of Uz⁴ whose⁵ name was Job.⁶ And that man was pure⁷ and upright,⁸ one who feared God and turned away from evil.⁹ 1:2 Seven¹⁰ sons and three daughters were born to him.¹¹ 1:3 His possessions¹² included¹³ 7,000 sheep, 3,000 camels, 500 yoke of oxen, and 500 female donkeys; in addition he had a very great household.¹⁴ Thus he¹⁵ was the greatest of all the people in the east.¹⁶

1:4 Now his sons used to go¹⁷ and hold¹⁸ a feast in the house of each one in turn,¹⁹ and they would send and invite²⁰ their three²¹ sisters to eat and to drink with them. 1:5 When²² the days of their feasting were finished,²³ Job would send²⁴ for them and sanctify²⁵ them; he would get up early²⁶ in the morning and offer burnt offerings according to²⁷ the number of them all. For Job thought, “Perhaps²⁸ my children²⁹ have sinned and cursed³⁰ God in their hearts.” This was Job’s customary practice.³¹

Satan’s Accusation of Job³²

1:6 Now the day came when³³ the sons of God³⁴ came to present themselves before³⁵ the Lord – and Satan³⁶ also arrived among them. 1:7 The Lord said to Satan, “Where have you come from?”³⁷ And Satan answered the Lord,³⁸ “From roving about³⁹ on the earth, and from walking back and forth across it.”⁴⁰ 1:8 So the Lord said to Satan, “Have you considered⁴¹ my servant Job? There⁴² is no one like him on the earth, a pure and upright man, one who fears God and turns away⁴³ from evil.”

1:9 Then Satan answered the Lord, “Is it for nothing that Job fears God?⁴⁴ 1:10 Have you⁴⁵ not made a hedge⁴⁶ around him and his household and all that he has on every side? You have blessed⁴⁷ the work of his hands, and his livestock⁴⁸ have increased⁴⁹ in the land. 1:11 But⁵⁰ extend your hand and strike⁵¹ everything he has, and he will no doubt⁵² curse you⁵³ to your face!”

1:12 So the Lord said to Satan, “All right then,⁵⁴ everything he has is⁵⁵ in your power.⁵⁶ Only do not extend your hand against the man himself!”⁵⁷ So Satan went out⁵⁸ from the presence of the Lord.⁵⁹

Job’s Integrity in Adversity⁶⁰

1:13 Now the day⁶¹ came when Job’s⁶² sons and daughters were eating and drinking wine in their oldest brother’s house, 1:14 and a messenger came to Job, saying, “The oxen were plowing⁶³ and the donkeys were grazing beside them, 1:15 and the Sabeans⁶⁴ swooped down⁶⁵ and carried them all away, and they killed⁶⁶ the servants with the sword!⁶⁷ And I – only I alone⁶⁸ – escaped to tell you!”

1:16 While this one was still speaking,⁶⁹ another messenger arrived⁷⁰ and said, “The fire of God⁷¹ has fallen from heaven⁷² and has burned up the sheep and the servants – it has consumed them! And I – only I alone – escaped to tell you!”

1:17 While this one was still speaking another messenger arrived and said, “The Chaldeans⁷³ formed three bands and made a raid⁷⁴ on the camels and carried them all away, and they killed the servants with the sword!⁷⁵ And I – only I alone – escaped to tell you!”

1:18 While 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, 1:19 and suddenly⁷⁶ a great wind⁷⁷ swept across⁷⁸ 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!”

1:20 Then Job got up⁷⁹ and tore his robe.⁸⁰ He shaved his head,⁸¹ and then he threw himself down with his face to the ground.⁸² 1:21 He said, “Naked⁸³ I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I will return there.⁸⁴ The Lord gives, and the Lord takes away.⁸⁵ May the name of the Lord⁸⁶ be blessed!” 1:22 In all this Job did not sin, nor did he charge God with moral impropriety.⁸⁷

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