There was a man in the land of Uz, whose name was Job. That man was blameless and upright, and one who feared God, and turned away from evil.

There were born to him seven sons and three daughters.

Yahweh said to Satan, "Have you considered my servant, Job? For there is none like him in the earth, a blameless and an upright man, one who fears God, and turns away from evil."

that there came a messenger to Job, and said, "The oxen were plowing, and the donkeys feeding beside them,

While he was still speaking, there also came another, and said, "The fire of God has fallen from the sky, and has burned up the sheep and the servants, and consumed them, and I alone have escaped to tell you."

While he was still speaking, there came also another, and said, "The Chaldeans made three bands, and swept down on the camels, and have taken them away, yes, and killed the servants with the edge of the sword; and I alone have escaped to tell you."

While he was still speaking, there came also another, and said, "Your sons and your daughters were eating and drinking wine in their eldest brother's house,

and behold, there came a great wind from the wilderness, and struck the four corners of the house, and it fell on the young men, and they are dead. I alone have escaped to tell you."

He said, "Naked I came out of my mother's womb, and naked shall I return there. Yahweh gave, and Yahweh has taken away. Blessed be the name of Yahweh."

Yahweh said to Satan, "Have you considered my servant Job? For there is none like him in the earth, a blameless and an upright man, one who fears God, and turns away from evil. He still maintains his integrity, although you incited me against him, to ruin him without cause."

"Let the day perish in which I was born, the night which said, 'There is a boy conceived.'

There the wicked cease from troubling. There the weary are at rest.

There the prisoners are at ease together. They don't hear the voice of the taskmaster.

The small and the great are there. The servant is free from his master.

"Call now; is there any who will answer you? To which of the holy ones will you turn?

His children are far from safety. They are crushed in the gate. Neither is there any to deliver them,

Can that which has no flavor be eaten without salt? Or is there any taste in the white of an egg?

They were distressed because they were confident. They came there, and were confounded.

Please return. Let there be no injustice. Yes, return again. My cause is righteous.

Is there injustice on my tongue? Can't my taste discern mischievous things?

There is no umpire between us, that might lay his hand on us both.

Although you know that I am not wicked, there is no one who can deliver out of your hand.

Life shall be clearer than the noonday. Though there is darkness, it shall be as the morning.

You shall be secure, because there is hope. Yes, you shall search, and shall take your rest in safety.

In the thought of him who is at ease there is contempt for misfortune. It is ready for them whose foot slips.

Behold, he breaks down, and it can't be built again. He imprisons a man, and there can be no release.

He takes away understanding from the chiefs of the people of the earth, and causes them to wander in a wilderness where there is no way.

"For there is hope for a tree, If it is cut down, that it will sprout again, that the tender branch of it will not cease.

Although there is no violence in my hands, and my prayer is pure.

Surely there are mockers with me. My eye dwells on their provocation.

"Now give a pledge, be collateral for me with yourself. Who is there who will strike hands with me?

There shall dwell in his tent that which is none of his. Sulfur shall be scattered on his habitation.

"Behold, I cry out of wrong, but I am not heard. I cry for help, but there is no justice.

be afraid of the sword, for wrath brings the punishments of the sword, that you may know there is a judgment."

There was nothing left that he didn't devour, therefore his prosperity shall not endure.

The clods of the valley shall be sweet to him. All men shall draw after him, as there were innumerable before him.

So how can you comfort me with nonsense, because in your answers there remains only falsehood?"

Isn't your wickedness great? Neither is there any end to your iniquities.

There the upright might reason with him, so I should be delivered forever from my judge.

"If I go east, he is not there; if west, I can't find him;

There are people who remove the landmarks. They violently take away flocks, and feed them.

There are those who pluck the fatherless from the breast, and take a pledge of the poor,

"Surely there is a mine for silver, and a place for gold which they refine.

The proud animals have not trodden it, nor has the fierce lion passed by there.

When I looked for good, then evil came; When I waited for light, there came darkness.

When Elihu saw that there was no answer in the mouth of these three men, his wrath was kindled.

But there is a spirit in man, and the breath of the Almighty gives them understanding.

Yes, I gave you my full attention, but there was no one who convinced Job, or who answered his words, among you.

'I am clean, without disobedience. I am innocent, neither is there iniquity in me.

"If there is beside him an angel, an interpreter, one among a thousand, to show to man what is right for him;

There is no darkness, nor thick gloom, where the workers of iniquity may hide themselves.

that the godless man may not reign, that there be no one to ensnare the people.

There they cry, but none gives answer, because of the pride of evil men.

Yes, he would have allured you out of distress, into a broad place, where there is no restriction. That which is set on your table would be full of fatness.

To cause it to rain on a land where no man is; on the wilderness, in which there is no man;

From there he spies out the prey. His eyes see it afar off.

His young ones also suck up blood. Where the slain are, there he is."

There is strength in his neck. Terror dances before him.

On earth there is not his equal, that is made without fear.

Then came there to him all his brothers, and all his sisters, and all those who had been of his acquaintance before, and ate bread with him in his house. They comforted him, and consoled him concerning all the evil that Yahweh had brought on him. Everyone also gave him a piece of money, and everyone a ring of gold.