The Lord said to Satan, “Have you considered and reflected on My servant Job? For there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, one who fears God [with reverence] and abstains from and turns away from evil [because he honors God]. And still he maintains and holds tightly to his integrity, although you incited Me against him to destroy him without cause.”

Then his wife said to him, “Do you still cling to your integrity [and your faith and trust in God, without blaming Him]? Curse God and die!”

“I am not at ease, nor am I quiet,
And I am not at rest, and yet trouble still comes [upon me].”

“The spirit stood still, but I could not discern its appearance;
A form was before my eyes;
There was silence, and then I heard a voice, saying:

“Then I would still have consolation,
And I would jump for joy amid unsparing pain,
That I have not denied or hidden the words of the Holy One.

“It will be fulfilled while he still lives,
And his branch will not be green [but shall wither away].

Though he desires it and will not let it go
But holds it in his mouth,

As long as my life is within me,
And the breath of God is [still] in my nostrils,

“And shall I wait, because they say nothing,
But stand still and say no more?

“Bear with me a little longer, and I will show you,
That there is yet more to say on God’s behalf.

“Listen to this, Job;
Stand still and consider the wonders of God.

“With fierceness and rage he races to devour the ground,
And he does not stand still at the sound of the [war] trumpet.