Seven sons and three daughters were born to him.

When the days of their feasting were finished, Job would send for them and sanctify them; he would get up early in the morning and offer burnt offerings according to the number of them all. For Job thought, "Perhaps my children have sinned and cursed God in their hearts." This was Job's customary practice.

Now the day came when Job's sons and daughters were eating and drinking wine in their oldest brother's house,

and a messenger came to Job, saying, "The oxen were plowing and the donkeys were grazing beside them,

While this one was still speaking another messenger arrived and said, "Your sons and your daughters were eating and drinking wine in their oldest brother's house,

Why did the knees welcome me, and why were there two breasts that I might nurse at them?

Call to mind now: Who, being innocent, ever perished? And where were upright people ever destroyed?

They meet with darkness in the daytime, and grope about in the noontime as if it were night.

They were distressed, because each one had been so confident; they arrived there, but were disappointed.

For we were born yesterday and do not have knowledge, since our days on earth are but a shadow.

"Were you the first man ever born? Were you brought forth before the hills?

I also could speak like you, if you were in my place; I could pile up words against you and I could shake my head at you.

But even if it were true that I have erred, my error remains solely my concern!

"O that my words were written down, O that they were written on a scroll,

that with an iron chisel and with lead they were engraved in a rock forever!

His bones were full of his youthful vigor, but that vigor will lie down with him in the dust.

Who is the Almighty, that we should serve him? What would we gain if we were to pray to him?'

Although you were a powerful man, owning land, an honored man living on it,

men who were carried off before their time, when the flood was poured out on their foundations?

They were saying to God, 'Turn away from us,' and 'What can the Almighty do to us?'

when the Almighty was still with me and my children were around me;

when my steps were bathed with butter and the rock poured out for me streams of olive oil!

They were banished from the community -- people shouted at them like they would shout at thieves --

They brayed like animals among the bushes and were huddled together under the nettles.

Sons of senseless and nameless people, they were driven out of the land with whips.

if the members of my household have never said, 'If only there were someone who has not been satisfied from Job's meat!' --

Now Elihu had waited before speaking to Job, because the others were older than he was.

Look, I waited for you to speak; I listened closely to your wise thoughts,while you were searching for words.

His flesh wastes away from sight, and his bones, which were not seen, are easily visible.

If God were to set his heart on it, and gather in his spirit and his breath,

then he reveals to them what they have done, and their transgressions, that they were behaving proudly.

"Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth? Tell me, if you possess understanding!

On what were its bases set, or who laid its cornerstone --

You know, for you were born before them; and the number of your days is great!

She is harsh with her young, as if they were not hers; she is unconcerned about the uselessness of her labor.

Nowhere in all the land could women be found who were as beautiful as Job's daughters, and their father granted them an inheritance alongside their brothers.