There once was a man in the land of Uz named Job. The man was blameless as well as upright. He feared God and kept away from evil.

His livestock included 7,000 sheep, 3,000 camels, 500 teams of oxen, 500 female donkeys, and many servants. Indeed, the man's stature greatly exceeded that of many people who lived in the East.

His sons used to travel to each other's houses in turn on a regular schedule and hold festivals, inviting their three sisters to celebrate with them.

When their time of feasting had concluded, Job would rise early in the morning to send for them and consecrate them to God. He would offer a burnt offering for each one, because Job thought, "Perhaps my children sinned by cursing God in their hearts." Job did this time and again.

One day, divine beings presented themselves to the LORD, and Satan accompanied them.

The LORD asked Satan, "Where have you come from?" In response, Satan answered the LORD, "From wandering all over the earth and walking back and forth throughout it."

Then the LORD asked Satan, "Have you considered my servant Job? There is no one like him on earth. The man is blameless as well as upright. He fears God and keeps away from evil."

But in response, Satan asked the LORD, "Does Job fear God for nothing?

Haven't you surrounded him with a fence on all sides, around his house, and around all that he owns? You have blessed everything he puts his hands on and you have increased his livestock in the land.

Some time later, when his children were celebrating in their oldest brother's house,

when the Sabeans attacked, captured the servants, and killed them with swords. I alone escaped to tell you!"

While this messenger was still speaking, another came and announced, "Your children were celebrating in their oldest brother's house

when a strong wind came straight out of the wilderness and struck the four corners of the house. It collapsed on the young people, and they died. I alone escaped to tell you!"

Job neither sinned nor charged God with wrongdoing in all of this.

The LORD asked Satan, "Where have you come from?" In response, Satan told the LORD, "From wandering all over the earth and walking back and forth throughout it."

The LORD asked Satan, "Have you considered my servant Job? There is no one like him on earth. The man is blameless as well as upright. He fears God and keeps away from evil. He remains firm in his integrity, even though you have been urging me to overwhelm him without cause."

Satan answered the LORD, "Skin for skin! The man will give up everything that he owns in exchange for his health.

However, stretch out your hand and strike his bones and flesh, and he'll curse you to your face, won't he?"

Then his wife told him, "Do you remain firm in your integrity? Curse God and die!"

When Job's three friends heard all these tragedies that happened to him, they each traveled from their home towns to visit him. Eliphaz came from Teman, Bildad came from Shuah, and Zophar came from Naamath. They met together and went to console and comfort him.

Observing him from a distance, at first they didn't even recognize him, so they raised their voices and burst into tears. They each ripped their robes, threw ashes into the air on their heads,

and sat with Job on the ground for a full week without saying a word, since they could see the great extent of his anguish.

"Let the day when I was born be annihilated, along with the night when it was announced, "It's a boy!'

Let darkness and deep gloom reclaim it; let clouds settle down on it; let blackness in mid-day terrify it.

Why didn't I die while I was still in the womb, or die while I was being born?

In that place, the wicked stop causing trouble, and there, those whose strength is exhausted are at rest.

In that place, those who once were prisoners will be at ease together; they won't hear the voice of oppressors.

To those who are happy beyond measure when they reach their graves?

To the formerly successful man who lost his way in life, and God fenced him in?

"As far as I'm concerned, my food comes to me in the form of sighs, and my cries of anguish pour out like water.

In reply, Eliphaz from Teman answered:

"But now it's your turn, and you're the one who is worn out! Now it's striking you, and you're dismayed!

Now please think: Who has ever perished when they're innocent? Where have the upright been destroyed?

Full grown lions die when they cannot find prey; that's when the lion cubs are scattered.

Disquieting thoughts from dreams at night; when deep sleep falls on everyone.

A fear fell upon me, along with trembling that caused all my bones to shake in terror.

A spirit glided past me and made the hair on my skin to bristle.

how much less confidence does he have in those who dwell in houses of clay; who were formed from a foundation in dust and can perish like a moth?

They are defeated between morning and evening; they perish forever and no one notices!

"Cry out, won't you! Is there anyone who will answer you? To whom will you turn among the holy ones?

His children are far from deliverance; they'll be maltreated before they leave home, with no one to rescue them.

He sends rain on the surface of the earth, and waters the surface of the open country.

He sets the lowly on high, and lifts those who mourn to safety.

He captures the wise in their own craftiness, bringing a quick end to their cunning advice.

They meet with darkness in broad daylight; at noonday they grope around as if it were night.

"He will deliver you through six calamities; and calamity won't touch you throughout the seventh.

He will deliver you from death by famine; in war from the power of the sword.

You'll be protected from the accusing tongue; you need not fear destruction when it heads your way.

For you'll have a pact with the stones in the field; and the beasts of the field will be at peace with you.

You'll know that your home is secure; when you search your possessions, and nothing will be missing.

"Look! We have thought all this through, and what we've said is true; So please listen and learn for your own good!"

In rebuttal, Job replied:

"If only my grief could be weighed; or my calamity piled together on a balance scale!

It would weigh more than the sand on the seashore! Here's why I've talked so rashly:

Tasteless food isn't eaten without salt, is it? Is there any taste in an egg white?

At least I could still take comfort and rejoice in unceasing anguish, for I didn't conceal what the Holy One has to say.

But then the snow melts, and they disappear; when warmed, they evaporate from their stream beds.

Travelers divert in their route; they go into a wasteland and die.

When did I ever ask you for anything, say "Offer a bribe for me from your wealth?'

Indeed, you would gamble to buy an orphan; and barter to buy your friend!

Now be willing to face me, and I won't lie to your face.

"Men have harsh servitude on earth, do they not? His days are like those of a hired laborer, are they not?

"When I lie down I ask, "When will I wake up?' But the night continues and I keep tossing and turning until dawn.

Remember that my life is a breath; my eyes won't go back to seeing good things.

The eyes of the one who sees me won't see me anymore; your eyes will look for me but I won't be around!

As a cloud fades away and vanishes, the one who descends to the afterlife doesn't return.

He doesn't return again to his house, and his place won't recognize him anymore."

"In addition, I won't keep my opinion to myself; I'll speak from my distressed spirit; I'll complain with my bitter soul.

"What is a human being, that you make so much of him; that you set your affections on him,

Why won't you look away from me? Why don't you leave me alone so I can swallow my saliva?

Why haven't you pardoned my transgression and taken away my iniquity? Now I'm about to lie down in the dust. You will seek me diligently, but I won't be around!"

Then in response, Bildad from Shuah said:

if you are clean and upright, surely then, he'll act on your behalf and restore your rightful place.

"Inquire of the previous generation, won't you please? Consider what their forefathers searched out.

Because we are of yesterday and we know nothing, for our time on earth is only a shadow.

Won't they instruct you, and tell you, and bring out words from the heart?

his confidence is shattered; his trust is in a spider's web.

He leans against his house, but it won't stand; he grabs hold of it firmly, but it doesn't last.

He is a fresh sapling planted in the sunlight, spreading out its branches over its garden.

Surely God won't reject those who are blameless or hold hands with those who practice evil.

If one were to seek to argue with him, he won't be able to answer him even once in a thousand times.

He is wise in heart and strong in will who can be stubborn against him and succeed?

"He removes mountains without their knowledge, overthrowing them in his anger.

He alone spreads out the heavens, he walks on the waves of the sea.

Even if I'm in the right, I cannot answer him. I can only appeal for mercy.

For he crushes me with a storm, and keeps on wounding me for no reason.

He won't let me catch my breath; instead, he fills me with bitterness.

Though I'm in the right, my own mouth will condemn me; though I'm blameless, he'll pronounce me as guilty.

They pass by like a ship made of reeds, like an eagle swooping down on its prey.

If I were to say, "Let me forget my complaint,' change the expression on my face, and look cheerful,

then I still dread all of my suffering; I know you still won't acquit me.

you'll still drop me into the Pit, and my own clothes will despise me.

He's not a man like me, so that I can answer him, or that we can enter into litigation with one another.

There is not yet a mediator between us, who would set his hand on the two of us,

Although you know that I'm not guilty, there's no one to deliver me from you!

Your hands formed and fashioned me, but then you have destroyed me all at once on all sides.

But you've hidden these things in your heart I know this was your purpose:

If I sin, you watch me and won't acquit me for my iniquity.

But if I do lift up my head, you will hunt me like a lion! You will perform miracles in order to fight against me.

Will your irrational babble silence people, and when you mock them, will you escape without being shamed?