Job

Explores the themes of suffering and faith through the story of Job, a man tested by losing everything.

Chapter 1

1 There was a man in the land of Uz, whose name was Job; and that man was perfect and upright, and one that feared God, and eschewed evil.

*In the land of Uz, there was a man named Job. He was good, obeyed God, and avoided bad things.

2 And there were born unto him seven sons and three daughters.

*He had seven sons and three daughters.

3 His substance also was seven thousand sheep, and three thousand camels, and five hundred yoke of oxen, and five hundred she asses, and a very great household; so that this man was the greatest of all the men of the east.

*This person had 7,000 sheep, 3,000 camels, 500 large work oxen, 500 female donkeys, and many workers. He was the wealthiest person in the eastern region.

4 And his sons went and feasted in their houses, every one his day; and sent and called for their three sisters to eat and to drink with them.

*His sons had a party at their homes, each on their turn. They invited their three sisters to join them and enjoy the food and drinks together.

5 And it was so, when the days of their feasting were gone about, that Job sent and sanctified them, and rose up early in the morning, and offered burnt offerings according to the number of them all: for Job said, It may be that my sons have sinned, and cursed God in their hearts. Thus did Job continually.

*After their celebration ended, Job sent for them, purified them, and early in the morning, offered sacrifices based on their number. He did this because he thought his sons might have sinned and cursed God in their hearts. This is what Job consistently did.

6 Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan came also among them.

*One day, divine beings appeared before God, and Satan joined them too.

7 And the LORD said unto Satan, Whence comest thou? Then Satan answered the LORD, and said, From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it.

*And God asked Satan, "Where did you come from?" Satan replied, "I've been traveling around on Earth and walking all over it."

8 And the LORD said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil?

*And God asked Satan, "Do you know about my follower Job? There isn't anyone else like him on Earth. He is completely good, obeys God, fears Him, and stays away from bad things."

9 Then Satan answered the LORD, and said, Doth Job fear God for nought?

*Then Satan replied to God, asking, "Does Job really respect God just for no reason?"

10 Hast not thou made an hedge about him, and about his house, and about all that he hath on every side? thou hast blessed the work of his hands, and his substance is increased in the land.

*Did you not create a protective barrier around him, his home, and everything he has in every direction? You have blessed the work of his hands, and his wealth has grown in the land.

11 But put forth thine hand now, and touch all that he hath, and he will curse thee to thy face.

*But reach out your hand now and take everything he has, and he will curse you right to your face.

12 And the LORD said unto Satan, Behold, all that he hath is in thy power; only upon himself put not forth thine hand. So Satan went forth from the presence of the LORD.

*And God told Satan, Everything this person has is under your control, but don't harm him directly. Then Satan left God's presence.

13 And there was a day when his sons and his daughters were eating and drinking wine in their eldest brother’s house:

*One day, his children were eating and drinking wine at the oldest brother's home.

14 And there came a messenger unto Job, and said, The oxen were plowing, and the asses feeding beside them:

*A messenger told Job that the oxen were working in the field and the donkeys were eating next to them.

15 And the Sabeans fell upon them, and took them away; yea, they have slain the servants with the edge of the sword; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee.

*The Sabeans attacked and captured them. They killed the servants using swords, but I managed to survive and am telling you this.

16 While he was yet speaking, there came also another, and said, The fire of God is fallen from heaven, and hath burned up the sheep, and the servants, and consumed them; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee.

*While he was still talking, another person arrived and said, "God's fire has come down from the sky, burning the sheep and the helpers, destroying them all. I am the only one who survived to tell you this."

17 While he was yet speaking, there came also another, and said, The Chaldeans made out three bands, and fell upon the camels, and have carried them away, yea, and slain the servants with the edge of the sword; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee.

*Even as he was talking, another person arrived, saying that the Chaldeans attacked in three groups, took the camels, killed the servants using swords, and only I survived to tell you about it.

18 While he was yet speaking, there came also another, and said, Thy sons and thy daughters were eating and drinking wine in their eldest brother’s house:

*Even as he was talking, someone else arrived, saying that his children were feasting and drinking wine at the oldest brother's home.

19 And, behold, there came a great wind from the wilderness, and smote the four corners of the house, and it fell upon the young men, and they are dead; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee.

*And suddenly, a strong wind from the desert hit the house's corners, causing it to collapse on the young men inside, killing them. I am the only one who survived, and I'm telling you this.

20 Then Job arose, and rent his mantle, and shaved his head, and fell down upon the ground, and worshipped,

*Then Job stood up, tore his cloak, cut off his hair, and lay on the ground, worshipping.

21 And said, Naked came I out of my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return thither: the LORD gave, and the LORD hath taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD.

*They said, "I was born without anything, and that's how I will die. God gave me life, and now He has taken it away. Praise God's name."

22 In all this Job sinned not, nor charged God foolishly.

*In everything, Job didn't sin or blame God in a silly way.

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