Job 1

Job's Character and Wealth

1 There was a man a in the land of Uz, whose name was b Job; and that man was c blameless and upright, and one who d feared God and 1 shunned evil. 2 And seven sons and three daughters were born to him. 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 2 people of the East. 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 So it was, when the days of feasting had run their course, that Job would send and 3 sanctify them, and he would rise early in the morning e and offer burnt offerings according to the number of them all. For Job said, "It may be that my sons have sinned and f cursed 4 God in their hearts." Thus Job did regularly.

Satan Allowed to Test Job

6 Now g there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and 5 Satan also came among them. 7 And the LORD said to 6 Satan, "From where do you come?" So Satan answered the LORD and said, "From h going to and fro on the earth, and from walking back and forth on it." 8 Then the LORD said to Satan, "Have you 7 considered My servant Job, that there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, one who fears God and 8 shuns evil?" 9 So Satan answered the LORD and said, "Does Job fear God for nothing? 10 i "Have You not 9 made a hedge around him, around his household, and around all that he has on every side? j You have blessed the work of his hands, and his possessions have increased in the land. 11 k "But now, stretch out Your hand and touch all that he has, and he will surely l curse 10 You to Your face!" 12 And the LORD said to Satan, "Behold, all that he has is in your 11 power; only do not lay a hand on his person." So Satan went out from the presence of the LORD.

Satan Takes Job's Property and Children

13 Now there was a day m when his sons and daughters were eating and drinking wine in their oldest brother's house; 14 and a messenger came to Job and said, "The oxen were plowing and the donkeys feeding beside them, 15 "when the 12 Sabeans 13 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 also came and said, "The fire of God fell from heaven and burned up the sheep and the servants, and 14 consumed them; and I alone have 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, another also came and said, n "Your sons and daughters were eating and drinking wine in their oldest brother's house, 19 "and suddenly a great wind came from 15 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 Then Job arose, o tore his robe, and shaved his head; and he p fell to the ground and worshiped. 21 And he said:
q "Naked I came from my mother's womb,
And naked shall I return there.
The LORD r gave, and the LORD has s taken away;
t Blessed be the name of the LORD."

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

  1. Cross References
    1 Chronicles 1:17
    The sons of Shem were Elam, Asshur, Arphaxad, Lud, Aram, Uz, Hul, Gether, and Meshech.
  2. Cross References
    Ezekiel 14:14
    Even if these three men, Noah, Daniel, and Job, were in it, they would deliver only themselves by their righteousness," says the Lord GOD.
    Ezekiel 14:20
    "even though Noah, Daniel, and Job were in it, as I live," says the Lord GOD, "they would deliver neither son nor daughter; they would deliver only themselves by their righteousness."
    James 5:11
    Indeed we count them blessed who endure. You have heard of the perseverance of Job and seen the end intended by the Lord - that the Lord is very compassionate and merciful.
  3. Cross References
    Genesis 6:9
    This is the genealogy of Noah. Noah was a just man, perfect in his generations. Noah walked with God.
    Genesis 17:1
    When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the LORD appeared to Abram and said to him, "I am Almighty God; walk before Me and be blameless.
    Deuteronomy 18:13
    You shall be blameless before the LORD your God.
  4. Cross References
    Proverbs 16:6
    In mercy and truth Atonement is provided for iniquity; And by the fear of the LORD one departs from evil.
  5. Cross References
    Genesis 8:20
    Then Noah built an altar to the LORD, and took of every clean animal and of every clean bird, and offered burnt offerings on the altar.
    Job 42:8
    "Now therefore, take for yourselves seven bulls and seven rams, go to My servant Job, and offer up for yourselves a burnt offering; and My servant Job shall pray for you. For I will accept him, lest I deal with you according to your folly; because you have not spoken of Me what is right, as My servant Job has."
  6. Cross References
    1 Kings 21:10
    And seat two men, scoundrels, before him to bear witness against him, saying, "You have blasphemed God and the king." Then take him out, and stone him, that he may die.
    1 Kings 21:13
    And two men, scoundrels, came in and sat before him; and the scoundrels witnessed against him, against Naboth, in the presence of the people, saying, "Naboth has blasphemed God and the king!" Then they took him outside the city and stoned him with stones, so that he died.
  7. Cross References
    Job 2:1
    Again there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan came also among them to present himself before the LORD.
  8. Cross References
    1 Peter 5:8
    Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.
  9. Cross References
    Job 29:2 - 6
    Oh, that I were as in months past, As in the days when God watched over me.
    Psalms 34:7
    The angel of the LORD encamps all around those who fear Him, And delivers them.
    Isaiah 5:2
    He dug it up and cleared out its stones, And planted it with the choicest vine. He built a tower in its midst, And also made a winepress in it; So He expected it to bring forth good grapes, But it brought forth wild grapes.
  10. Cross References
    Psalms 128:1
    Blessed is every one who fears the LORD, Who walks in His ways.
    Psalms 128:2
    When you eat the labor of your hands, You shall be happy, and it shall be well with you.
    Proverbs 10:22
    The blessing of the LORD makes one rich, And He adds no sorrow with it.
  11. Cross References
    Job 2:5
    "But stretch out Your hand now, and touch his bone and his flesh, and he will surely curse You to Your face!"
    Job 19:21
    Have pity on me, have pity on me, O you my friends, For the hand of God has struck me!
  12. Cross References
    Isaiah 8:21
    They will pass through it hard-pressed and hungry; and it shall happen, when they are hungry, that they will be enraged and curse their king and their God, and look upward.
    Malachi 3:13
    "Your words have been harsh against Me," Says the LORD, "Yet you say, 'What have we spoken against You?'
    Malachi 3:14
    You have said, 'It is useless to serve God; What profit is it that we have kept His ordinance, And that we have walked as mourners Before the LORD of hosts?
  13. Cross References
    Ecclesiastes 9:12
    For man also does not know his time: Like fish taken in a cruel net, Like birds caught in a snare, So the sons of men are snared in an evil time, When it falls suddenly upon them.
  14. Cross References
    Job 1:4
    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.
    Job 1:13
    Now there was a day when his sons and daughters were eating and drinking wine in their oldest brother's house.
  15. Cross References
    Genesis 37:29
    Then Reuben returned to the pit, and indeed Joseph was not in the pit; and he tore his clothes.
    Genesis 37:34
    Then Jacob tore his clothes, put sackcloth on his waist, and mourned for his son many days.
    Joshua 7:6
    Then Joshua tore his clothes, and fell to the earth on his face before the ark of the LORD until evening, he and the elders of Israel; and they put dust on their heads.
    Ezra 9:3
    So when I heard this thing, I tore my garment and my robe, and plucked out some of the hair of my head and beard, and sat down astonished.
  16. Cross References
    1 Peter 5:6
    Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time.
  17. Cross References
    Psalms 49:17
    For when he dies he shall carry nothing away; His glory shall not descend after him.
    Ecclesiastes 5:15
    As he came from his mother's womb, naked shall he return, To go as he came; And he shall take nothing from his labor Which he may carry away in his hand.
    1 Timothy 6:7
    For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.
  18. Cross References
    Ecclesiastes 5:19
    As for every man to whom God has given riches and wealth, and given him power to eat of it, to receive his heritage and rejoice in his labor - this is the gift of God.
    James 1:17
    Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.
  19. Cross References
    Genesis 31:16
    "For all these riches which God has taken from our father are really ours and our children's; now then, whatever God has said to you, do it."
    1 Samuel 2:6
    The LORD kills and makes alive; He brings down to the grave and brings up.
  20. Cross References
    Ephesians 5:20
    Giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
    1 Thessalonians 5:18
    In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
  21. Cross References
    Job 2:10
    But he said to her, "You speak as one of the foolish women speaks. Shall we indeed accept good from God, and shall we not accept adversity?" In all this Job did not sin with his lips.
New King James Version (NKJV) Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc.
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