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.

Then the LORD told Satan, "Very well then, everything he owns is under your control, only you may not extend your hand against him." So Satan left the LORD's presence.

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

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

and exclaimed: "I left my mother's womb naked, and I will return to God naked. The LORD has given, and the LORD has taken. May the name of the LORD be blessed."

So Satan left the LORD's presence and struck Job with terrible boils from the sole of his feet to the top of his head.

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 the stars of its evening twilight be dark; let it hope for light but let there be none; let it not see the breaking rays of the dawn.

"Because that night refused to shut the doors of my mother's womb; it failed to keep me from seeing this trouble.

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

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

It's been my experience that those who plow the soil of iniquity and those who sow the seed of trouble will reap their harvest!

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

Their wealth perishes with them, doesn't it? They die, and do so without having wisdom, don't they?"

"I myself saw a fool becoming established, but I suddenly cursed where he lived.

He frustrates the plans of the crafty; so that what they work for never succeeds.

So he delivers from the sword of their mouth the poor from the power of the mighty.

"Indeed, how blessed is the person whom God reproves! So never disrespect the discipline of the Almighty,

You'll go to your grave at a ripe old age; like a stack of grain that's harvested at just the right time.

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

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

"The arrows of the Almighty have pierced me; my spirit absorbs their poison; God's terrors have been arranged just for me!

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

"And now you're all just like them, aren't you? You see my terror and are terrified.

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

or say "Deliver me from my enemy's control,' or "Redeem me from the domination of ruthless people'?"

Have I said anything that's unjust? I can discern evil, can't I?"

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!

Am I the sea, or a sea monster, that you keep watching me?

"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?

So what if I sin? What have I done against you, you observer of humankind? Why have you made me your target? Why burden yourself with me?

Does God pervert justice? Does the Almighty pervert what's right?

"Can papyrus grow where there's no marsh? Can reeds flourish without water?

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

If he is uprooted from his place, then it will deny him: "I never saw you.'

"Indeed, this is the benefit of God's way: from the soil other plants will sprout.

This was Job's response:

"Indeed, I'm fully aware that this is so, but how can a person become right with God?

He shakes the earth from its orbit, so that its foundations shudder.

He commands the sun so that it doesn't shine and seals up the stars.

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

Indeed, if he snatches someone away, who could restrain him? Who can say to him, "What are you doing?'

"God doesn't restrain his anger. Rahab's assistants are humiliated under him.

So how am I to answer him, choosing what I am to say to him?

"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.

"Is this a contest of strength? He is obviously stronger! Is this a matter of justice? Who can sue him?

I say it's all the same he destroys both the blameless and the guilty.

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

I will be condemned, so why should I wear myself out with this futility?

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

"I am disgusted with living, so I'm going to talk about my complaint freely. I'll speak out from the bitterness of my soul.

I'll say to God, "Don't condemn me! Let me know why you are fighting me.

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

So why did you bring me out from the womb? I wish I had died, before anyone had seen me,

My days are so few, aren't they? So leave me alone, then, so I can smile a little

It's a gloomy land, like deepest darkness; where there's no order, and where even the brightness is like darkness.'"

Zophar from Naamath had this to say:

You've said, "My teaching is flawless; I'm clean in God's sight.'

and disclose his wise secrets? After all, there's so much more to understanding. So be aware that God will exact from you less than your sin deserves."

"Can you search through God's complex things? Can you uncover the limits of the Almighty?

These things are higher than the heavens, so what can you do? They are deeper than Sheol, so what can you know?

They are longer than the earth's circumference, and broader than the ocean.

For he knows mankind's deceitfulness; when he sees iniquity, won't he himself consider it?

You'll be secure, because there is hope; you'll see that you're at rest and safe.

Or ask the green plants of the earth and they'll teach you; let the fish in the sea tell you.

Who among all of these doesn't know that the LORD's hand made them,

Why do you speak falsely on God's behalf and speak deceitfully about him?

Will you show partiality to him? Will you plead God's case?

"Don't talk to me! It's my turn to speak; then whatever happens, happens.

Pay attention to what I have to say and listen to my testimony with your own ears."

So I'm a man who wears out like something rotten, like a garment that has become moth-eaten."

Look away from him and leave him alone, so he can enjoy his time, like a hired worker."

the presence of water will make it to bud so that it sprouts new branches like a young plant.

As water disappears from the sea, or water evaporates from a river,

so also a person lies down and does not get up; they won't awaken until the heavens are no more, nor will they arise from their sleep."

Have you listened in on God's secret council? Have you limited wisdom only to yourself?

Are God's encouragements inconsequential to you, even a word that has been spoken gently to you?

He won't escape darkness; a flame will wither his shoots; and he'll depart by the breath of God's mouth.

and encourage you with what I have to say; my words of comfort would lessen your pain.

"My spirit is crushed, my days are over; it's the grave for me!

My days are passed; my plans have been shattered; along with my heart's desires.

They have transformed night into day "The light,' they say, "is about to become dark.'

if I call out to the Pit, "You're my father!' or say to the worm, "My mother!' or "My sister!'

"There's nothing in his tent that belongs to him; sulfur is scattered all over his dwelling place.

Indeed, the residences of the wicked are like this; and so are the homes of those who don't know God."

Even if it's true that I've erred, my error only affects me.

He blocked my path, so I cannot pass; and he turned out the lights on my pathways.

He is breaking me down on every side, and now it's too late for me; he has uprooted my hopes like a tree.

My wife says my breath stinks; even my children say I smell bad!

"Be gracious to me, be gracious to me, my friends, because God's hand has struck me.

Even after my skin has been destroyed, clothed in my flesh I will see God,

whom I will see for myself. My own eyes will look at him there won't be anyone else for me! He is the culmination of my innermost desire."

Make sure that you remain wary of God's sword, for God's wrath brings with it the sword of punishment, by which you'll know there's a judgment."

he'll perish forever, like his own excrement; those who saw him will ask, "Where is he?'

"An eye that gazes at him won't do so again; and his place won't even recognize him.