Job

There was a man in the land of Uz, whose name was Job; and that man was perfect and upright, and one that feared God, and eschewed evil.

1There was a man named Job. He lived in a land called Uz. Job was honest and did what was right. He loved and obeyed God, and he stayed away from evil.

NoteThe old King James wording calls Job "perfect." That did not mean he never made a mistake. It meant he was honest and fair, and no one could blame him for anything.

2And there were born unto him seven sons and three daughters.

2Job had seven sons and three daughters.

3His substance also was seven thousand sheep, and three thousand camels, and five hundred yoke of oxen, and five hundred she asses, and a very great household; so that this man was the greatest of all the men of the east.

3He owned 7,000 sheep and 3,000 camels. He had 500 pairs of oxen and 500 female donkeys. He also had a very large number of servants. Job was the greatest man in all the East.

NoteA "pair of oxen" (the old word is a "yoke") means two big work animals joined by a wooden bar so they pull a plow together.

4And his sons went and feasted in their houses, every one his day; and sent and called for their three sisters to eat and to drink with them.

4Job's sons took turns having big meals in their homes. Each brother had his own day. They always invited their three sisters to eat and drink with them.

5And it was so, when the days of their feasting were gone about, that Job sent and sanctified them, and rose up early in the morning, and offered burnt offerings according to the number of them all: for Job said, It may be that my sons have sinned, and cursed God in their hearts. Thus did Job continually.

5When the days of feasting were over, Job sent for his children. He helped them get clean and ready to come before God. Early in the morning, he burned a gift to God for each one of them. Job thought, "Maybe my children have sinned and said bad things about God in their hearts." Job did this every single time.

6Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan came also among them.

6One day the heavenly beings, called the sons of God, came to stand before the LORD. Satan came along with them.

7And the LORD said unto Satan, Whence comest thou? Then Satan answered the LORD, and said, From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it.

7The LORD said to Satan, "Where have you come from?" Satan answered, "I have been roaming around the earth. I walked back and forth in it."

8And the LORD said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil?

8Then the LORD said to Satan, "Have you thought about my servant Job? No one on earth is like him. He is honest and does what is right. He loves and obeys God, and he stays away from evil."

9Then Satan answered the LORD, and said, Doth Job fear God for nought?

9Satan answered the LORD, "Does Job obey God for no reason at all?

10Hast not thou made an hedge about him, and about his house, and about all that he hath on every side? thou hast blessed the work of his hands, and his substance is increased in the land.

10You have put a safe wall around him, his family, and everything he owns. You bless the work he does. He has more and more animals and land.

11But put forth thine hand now, and touch all that he hath, and he will curse thee to thy face.

11But reach out your hand and take away everything he has. Then he will curse you right to your face."

12And the LORD said unto Satan, Behold, all that he hath is in thy power; only upon himself put not forth thine hand. So Satan went forth from the presence of the LORD.

12The LORD said to Satan, "Very well. Everything Job has is in your hands. But you must not hurt Job himself." Then Satan left the place where the LORD was.

13And there was a day when his sons and his daughters were eating and drinking wine in their eldest brother’s house:

13One day Job's sons and daughters were eating and drinking wine. They were at their oldest brother's house.

14And there came a messenger unto Job, and said, The oxen were plowing, and the asses feeding beside them:

14A messenger came running to Job with news. He said, "The oxen were plowing, and the donkeys were eating grass nearby.

15And the Sabeans fell upon them, and took them away; yea, they have slain the servants with the edge of the sword; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee.

15Then raiders called Sabeans attacked and took the animals away. They killed the servants with swords. I am the only one who got away to tell you."

16While he was yet speaking, there came also another, and said, The fire of God is fallen from heaven, and hath burned up the sheep, and the servants, and consumed them; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee.

16While he was still talking, another messenger came. He said, "Fire from God fell from the sky. It burned up the sheep and the servants. I am the only one who got away to tell you."

17While he was yet speaking, there came also another, and said, The Chaldeans made out three bands, and fell upon the camels, and have carried them away, yea, and slain the servants with the edge of the sword; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee.

17While he was still talking, another messenger came. He said, "Raiders called Chaldeans came in three groups. They attacked the camels and took them away. They killed the servants with swords. I am the only one who got away to tell you."

18While he was yet speaking, there came also another, and said, Thy sons and thy daughters were eating and drinking wine in their eldest brother’s house:

18While he was still talking, another messenger came. He said, "Your sons and daughters were eating and drinking wine at their oldest brother's house.

19And, behold, there came a great wind from the wilderness, and smote the four corners of the house, and it fell upon the young men, and they are dead; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee.

19Suddenly a strong wind came in from the desert. It hit all four corners of the house. The house fell on the young people, and they are dead. I am the only one who got away to tell you."

20Then Job arose, and rent his mantle, and shaved his head, and fell down upon the ground, and worshipped,

20Then Job stood up. He tore his robe and shaved his head. He fell down on the ground and worshiped God.

NoteLong ago, people tore their clothes and shaved their heads to show everyone how sad they were.

21And said, Naked came I out of my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return thither: the LORD gave, and the LORD hath taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD.

21He said, "I had nothing when I was born. I will have nothing when I go back to the ground. The LORD gave me all that I had. The LORD has taken it away. May the name of the LORD be praised."

22In all this Job sinned not, nor charged God foolishly.

22Through all of this, Job did not sin. He did not say that God had done anything wrong.