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.

While this messenger was still speaking, another came and announced, "A lightning storm struck and incinerated the flock and the servants while they were eating. I alone escaped to tell you!"

While this messenger was still speaking, another came and announced, "The Chaldeans formed three companies, raided the camels, captured the servants, and killed them with swords. Only 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

After this, Job spoke up solemnly, cursing the day he was born.

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

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

Why was there a lap to hold me, and why were there breasts to nurse me?

"Or why was I not buried like a stillborn child, like babies who never saw the light?

"A message was confided to me; my ear caught a whisper of it.

It remained standing, but I couldn't recognize its appearance. A form appeared before my eyes; At first there was silence, and then this voice:

This was Job's response:

"Were I to be summoned, and he were to answer me, I wouldn't even believe that he was listening to what I have to say.

"If I wash myself with water from snow, and cleanse my hands with lye,

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

Water wears away stones; floods wash away topsoil from the land but you destroy the hope of human beings just like that!

To them alone was the land given, when no invader passed through their midst.

"He tore me apart when I was at ease; grabbing me by my neck, he shook me to pieces then he really made me his target.

"Although I cried out "Violence!' I received no answer; I cried for help, but there was no justice.

"Haven't you known this from ancient times, since mankind was placed on the earth?

Because nothing was left for him to devour, therefore his prosperity won't last.

A flood will wash away his house; dragging it away when God becomes angry.

who were snatched away before their time; when their foundation was swept away by a river?

Job's response was to say:

like when I was in my prime and God trusted me with his secrets!

"The Almighty was still with me back then, and my children were still around me.

I was successful wherever I went, and even the rocks poured out streams of olive oil for me."

I was a father to the needy; I diligently inquired into the case of those I didn't know.

(even a poor man had grown up with me as if I were his father, and even though I had guided the widow from the time I was born),

These three men stopped responding to Job, because he was claiming to be righteous, in his own opinion.

But then Barachel's son Elihu from Buz, one of Ram's descendants, got really angry. He was furious with Job because he had been declaring himself righteous instead of vindicating God.

Furthermore, he was furious with his three friends because they had not answered Job, but instead had condemned him.

Barachel's son Elihu from Buz responded and said: "I'm younger than you are. Because you're older, I was terrified to tell you what I know.

Let his flesh be rejuvenated as he was in his youth! Let him recover the strength of his youth.

"There's nothing like him on earth; he was created without the ability to fear.

He named the first daughter Jemima, the second Keziah, and the name of the third was Keren-happuch.