New King James Version

New Living Translation

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.

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Prologue

There once was a man named Job who lived in the land of Uz. He was blameless — a man of complete integrity. He feared God and stayed away from evil.

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And seven sons and three daughters were born to him.

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He had seven sons and three daughters.

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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.

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He owned 7,000 sheep, 3,000 camels, 500 teams of oxen, and 500 female donkeys. He also had many servants. He was, in fact, the richest person in that entire area.

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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.

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Job’s sons would take turns preparing feasts in their homes, and they would also invite their three sisters to celebrate with them.

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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.

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When these celebrations ended — sometimes after several days — Job would purify his children. He would get up early in the morning and offer a burnt offering for each of them. For Job said to himself, “Perhaps my children have sinned and have cursed God in their hearts.” This was Job’s regular practice.

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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.

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Job’s First Test

One day the members of the heavenly courta came to present themselves before the LORD, and the Accuser, Satan,b came with them.

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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.”

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“Where have you come from?” the LORD asked Satan.
Satan answered the LORD, “I have been patrolling the earth, watching everything that’s going on.”

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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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Then the LORD asked Satan, “Have you noticed my servant Job? He is the finest man in all the earth. He is blameless — a man of complete integrity. He fears God and stays away from evil.”

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

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Satan replied to the LORD, “Yes, but Job has good reason to fear God.

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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.

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You have always put a wall of protection around him and his home and his property. You have made him prosper in everything he does. Look how rich he is!

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

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But reach out and take away everything he has, and he will surely curse you to your face!”

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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.

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“All right, you may test him,” the LORD said to Satan. “Do whatever you want with everything he possesses, but don’t harm him physically.” So Satan left the LORD’s presence.

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

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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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a messenger arrived at Job’s home with this news: “Your oxen were plowing, with the donkeys feeding beside them,

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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!”

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when the Sabeans raided us. They stole all the animals and killed all the farmhands. I am the only one who escaped to tell you.”

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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!”

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While he was still speaking, another messenger arrived with this news: “The fire of God has fallen from heaven and burned up your sheep and all the shepherds. I am the only one who escaped to tell you.”

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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!”

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While he was still speaking, a third messenger arrived with this news: “Three bands of Chaldean raiders have stolen your camels and killed your servants. I am the only one who escaped to tell you.”

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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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While he was still speaking, another messenger arrived with this news: “Your sons and daughters were feasting in their oldest brother’s home.

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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!”

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Suddenly, a powerful wind swept in from the wilderness and hit the house on all sides. The house collapsed, and all your children are dead. I am the only one who escaped to tell you.”

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

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Job stood up and tore his robe in grief. Then he shaved his head and fell to the ground to worship.

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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.”

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He said,
“I came naked from my mother’s womb,
and I will be naked when I leave.
The LORD gave me what I had,
and the LORD has taken it away.
Praise the name of the LORD!”

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

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In all of this, Job did not sin by blaming God.

Parallel

New King James Version

New Living Translation

Job 1

Job 1