New International Version

New King James Version

Prologue

In the land of Uz there lived a man whose name was Job. This man was blameless and upright; he feared God and shunned evil.

1

Job and His Family in Uz

There was a man in the land of Uz, whose name was Job; and that man was blameless and upright, and one who feared God and [a]shunned evil.

2

He had seven sons and three daughters,

2

And seven sons and three daughters were born to him.

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and 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.

3

Also, his possessions were seven thousand sheep, three thousand camels, five hundred yoke of oxen, five hundred female donkeys, and a very large household, so that this man was the greatest of all the [b]people of the East.

4

His sons used to hold feasts in their homes on their birthdays, and they would invite their three sisters to eat and drink with them.

4

And his sons would go and feast in their houses, each on his appointed day, and would send and invite their three sisters to eat and drink with them.

5

When 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.

5

So it was, when the days of feasting had run their course, that Job would send and [c]sanctify them, and he would rise early in the morning and offer burnt offerings according to the number of them all. For Job said, “It may be that my sons have sinned and cursed[d] God in their hearts.” Thus Job did regularly.

6

One day the angelsa came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satanb also came with them.

6

Satan Attacks Job’s Character

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

7

The Lord said to Satan, “Where have you come from?”
Satan answered the Lord, “From roaming throughout the earth, going back and forth on it.”

7

And the Lord said to [f]Satan, “From where do you come?”
So Satan answered the Lord and said, “From going to and fro on the earth, and from walking back and forth on it.”

8

Then 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.”

8

Then the Lord said to Satan, “Have you [g]considered My servant Job, that there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, one who fears God and [h]shuns evil?”

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“Does Job fear God for nothing?” Satan replied.

9

So Satan answered the Lord and said, “Does Job fear God for nothing?

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.

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Have You not [i]made a hedge around him, around his household, and around all that he has on every side? You have blessed the work of his hands, and his possessions have increased in the land.

11

But now stretch out your hand and strike everything he has, and he will surely curse you to your face.”

11

But now, stretch out Your hand and touch all that he has, and he will surely curse[j] You to Your face!”

12

The 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.

12

And the Lord said to Satan, “Behold, all that he has is in your [k]power; only do not lay a hand on his person.”
So Satan went out from the presence of the Lord.

13

One day when Job’s sons and daughters were feasting and drinking wine at the oldest brother’s house,

13

Job Loses His Property and Children

Now there was a day when his sons and daughters were eating and drinking wine in their oldest brother’s house;

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a messenger came to Job and said, “The oxen were plowing and the donkeys were grazing nearby,

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and a messenger came to Job and said, “The oxen were plowing and the donkeys feeding beside them,

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and 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!”

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when the [l]Sabeans [m]raided them and took them away — indeed they have killed the servants with the edge of the sword; and I alone have escaped to tell you!”

16

While 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!”

16

While he was still speaking, another also came and said, “The fire of God fell from heaven and burned up the sheep and the servants, and [n]consumed them; and I alone have escaped to tell you!”

17

While 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!”

17

While he was still speaking, another also came and said, “The Chaldeans formed three bands, raided the camels and took them away, yes, and killed the servants with the edge of the sword; and I alone have escaped to tell you!”

18

While 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,

18

While he was still speaking, another also came and said, “Your sons and daughters were eating and drinking wine in their oldest brother’s house,

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when 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!”

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and suddenly a great wind came from [o]across the wilderness and struck the four corners of the house, and it fell on the young people, and they are dead; and I alone have escaped to tell you!”

20

At this, Job got up and tore his robe and shaved his head. Then he fell to the ground in worship

20

Then Job arose, tore his robe, and shaved his head; and he fell to the ground and worshiped.

21

and said:
“Naked I came from my mother’s womb,
and naked I will depart.c
The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away;
may the name of the Lord be praised.”

21

And he said:
“Naked I came from my mother’s womb,
And naked shall I return there.
The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away;
Blessed be the name of the Lord.”

22

In all this, Job did not sin by charging God with wrongdoing.

22

In all this Job did not sin nor charge God with wrong.

Parallel

New International Version

New King James Version

Job 1

Job 1