In the land of Uz, there was a man called Job: an innocent and virtuous man, such a one as feared God, and eschewed evil.

Then said the LORD unto Satan, "Hast thou not considered my servant Job, and how that he is an innocent and virtuous man: such one as feareth God, and escheweth evil, and that there is none like him in the land?"

there came a messenger unto Job, and said, "While the oxen were a plowing, and the asses going in the pasture beside them,

And while he was yet speaking, there came another, and said, "The fire of God is fallen from heaven, it hath consumed, and burnt up all thy sheep and servants: and I only ran my way, to tell thee."

In the mean season while he was yet speaking, there came another, and said, "The Chaldeans made three armies, and fell upon thy camels, which they have carried away: yea, and slain thy servants with the sword, and I only am gotten away, to tell thee."

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

and suddenly there came a mighty great wind out of the South, and smote the four corners of the house: which fell upon thy children, so that they are dead, and I alone am gotten away, to tell thee."

Then said the LORD unto Satan, "Hast thou not considered my servant Job, how that he is an innocent and virtuous man such one as feareth God, and escheweth evil, and that there is none like him in the land? But thou movedst me against him, to punish him: yet is it in vain, for he continueth still in his godliness."

Then said the LORD unto Satan, "Lo, there hast thou him in thy power, but spare his life."

Now when Job's friends heard of all the trouble that happened to him, there came three of them, every one from his own place: namely, Eliphaz the Temanite, Bildad the Shuhite, and Zophar the Naamathite. For they were agreed together to come, to shew their compassion on him, and to comfort him.

They sat them down by him also upon the ground seven days and seven nights. Neither was there any of them that spake one word unto him, for they saw that his pain was very great.

and the night in the which it was said, 'There is a man child conceived.'

There, must the wicked cease from their tyranny, there such as are overlaboured be at rest.

There, are those let out free which have been in prison, so that they hear no more the voice of the oppressor.

There, are small and great; the bondman, and he that is free from his master.

He stood there, and I knew not his face. An image there was, before mine eyes, and in the stillness heard I a voice.

He delivereth thee out of six troubles, so that in the seventh there can no harm touch thee.

That which is unsavory, shalt it be eaten without salt, or is there any taste in the white of an egg?

whether there be any unrighteousness in my tongue, or vain words in my mouth.

Neither is there any daysman to lay his hand between us.

Whereas, notwithstanding, thou knowest that I am no wicked person, and that there is no man able to deliver me out of thine hand.

yea, into a land as dark as darkness itself, and into the shadow of death where is none order; but light there is as darkness."

"Among old persons there is wisdom, and among the aged is understanding.

"Hold your tongues now, and let me speak, for there is something come into my mind.

he shall make me whole: And why? There may no hypocrite come before him.

"If a tree be cut down, there is some hope yet, that it will sprout and shoot forth the branches again;

"Howbeit there is no wickedness in my hands, and my prayer is clean.

Behold: though I cry, yet violence is done unto me. I cannot be heard! Though I complain, there is none to give sentence with me.

My bone hangeth to my skin, and my flesh is away; there is left me only the skin about my teeth.

Did not ye say, "Why doth he suffer persecution?" Is there found an occasion against me?

But beware of the sword, for the sword will be avenged of wickedness. And be sure, that there is a judgment."

"For the same cause do my thoughts compel me to answer. And why? My mind is tossed here and there.

There shall no darkness be able to hide him. An unkindled fire shall consume him; and look, what remaineth in his house, it shall be destroyed.

Lo, there is utterly no goodness in them, therefore will not I have to do with the counsel of the ungodly.

Then shall he be fain to be buried among the stones by the brookside. All men must follow him, and there are innumerable gone before him.

Considering then that there is no time hid from the Almighty, how happeneth it, that they which know him, will not regard his days?

For some men there be, that remove other men's landmarks; that rob them of their cattle, and keep the same for their own;

The eye of the ungodly is like the adulterer, that waiteth for the darkness, and sayeth thus in himself, 'Tush, there shall no man see me,' and so he disguiseth his face.

There are places were silver is molten, and where gold is tried;

There is found a place, whose stones are clean Sapphires, and where the clots of the earth are gold.

There is a way also that the birds know not, that no vulture's eye hath seen;

There putteth he his hand upon the stony rocks, and overthroweth the mountains.

There is nothing so worthy, or so excellent, as once to be named unto her: for perfect wisdom goeth far beyond them all.

Now use not men to do violence unto them, that are destroyed already; but where hurt is done, there use they to help.

Yet nevertheless, whereas I looked for good, evil happened unto me; and whereas I waited for light, there came darkness.

'I am clean without any fault, I am innocent, and there is no wickedness in me.

For when God doth once command a thing, there should no man be curious to search whether it be right.

Now if there be a messenger, one among a thousand sent for to speak unto man, and to show him the right way;

Where is there such one as Job, that drinketh up scornfulness like water?

There is no darkness, nor thick shadow, that can hide the wicked doers from him.

"There is a great cry and complaint made by them that are oppressed with violence; yea, every man complaineth upon the cruel arm of tyrants.

Prolong not thou the time, till there come a night for thee, to set other people in thy stead.

Behold, God is of a mighty high power: Where is there such a guide and lawgiver as he?

His young ones are fed with blood, and where any dead body lieth, there is he immediately."

And why? There dare none be so bold as to raise him up. Who is able to stand before me?

out of his nostrils there goeth smoke, like as out of a hot seething pot.

If any man draw out a sword at him, it shall not hurt him: there may neither spear, javelin, nor breast plate abide him.

Upon earth is there no power like unto his, for he is so made that he feareth not.

"I know that thou hast power over all things, and that there is no thought hid unto thee.

And then came there unto him all his brethren, all his sisters, with all them that had been of his acquaintance afore, and ate bread with him in his house: wondering at him, and comforting him over all the trouble that the LORD had brought upon him. Every man gave him a sheep and a Jewel of gold.