Job 1

NEW JERUSALEM	NEW AMERICAN BIBLE
1 There was once a man in the land of Uz cal ed Job: a sound and honest man who feared God andshunned evil.	1 In the land of Uz there was a blameless and upright man named Job, who feared God and avoided evil.
2 Seven sons and three daughters were born to him.	2 Seven sons and three daughters were born to him;
3 And he owned seven thousand sheep, three thousand camels, five hundred yoke of oxen and fivehundred she-donkeys, and many servants besides. This man was the most prosperous of al the Sons of the East.	3 and he had seven thousand sheep, three thousand camels, five hundred yoke of oxen, five hundred she-asses, and a great number of work animals, so that he was greater than any of the men of the East.
4 It was the custom of his sons to hold banquets in one another's houses in turn, and to invite their threesisters to eat and drink with them.	4 His sons used to take turns giving feasts, sending invitations to their three sisters to eat and drink with them.
5 Once each series of banquets was over, Job would send for them to come and be purified, and at dawnon the fol owing day he would make a burnt offering for each of them. 'Perhaps', Job would say, 'my sons havesinned and in their heart blasphemed.' So that was what Job used to do each time.	5 And when each feast had run its course, Job would send for them and sanctify them, rising early and offering holocausts for every one of them. For Job said, "It may be that my sons have sinned and blasphemed God in their hearts." This Job did habitually.
6 One day when the sons of God came to attend on Yahweh, among them came Satan.	6 One day, when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, Satan also came among them.
7 So Yahweh said to Satan, 'Where have you been?' 'Prowling about on earth,' he answered, 'roamingaround there.'	7 And the LORD said to Satan, "Whence do you come?" Then Satan answered the LORD and said, "From roaming the earth and patrolling it."
8 So Yahweh asked him, 'Did you pay any attention to my servant Job? There is no one like him on theearth: a sound and honest man who fears God and shuns evil.'	8 And the LORD said to Satan, "Have you noticed my servant Job, and that there is no one on earth like him, blameless and upright, fearing God and avoiding evil?"
9 'Yes,' Satan said, 'but Job is not God-fearing for nothing, is he?	9 But Satan answered the LORD and said, "Is it for nothing that Job is God-fearing?
10 Have you not put a wal round him and his house and al his domain? You have blessed al heundertakes, and his flocks throng the countryside.	10 Have you not surrounded him and his family and all that he has with your protection? You have blessed the work of his hands, and his livestock are spread over the land.
11 But stretch out your hand and lay a finger on his possessions: then, I warrant you, he wil curse you toyour face.'	11 But now put forth your hand and touch anything that he has, and surely he will blaspheme you to your face."
12 'Very well,' Yahweh said to Satan, 'al he has is in your power. But keep your hands off his person.' SoSatan left the presence of Yahweh.	12 And the LORD said to Satan, "Behold, all that he has is in your power; only do not lay a hand upon his person." So Satan went forth from the presence of the LORD.
13 On the day when Job's sons and daughters were eating and drinking in their eldest brother's house,	13 And so one day, while his sons and his daughters were eating and drinking wine in the house of their eldest brother,
14 a messenger came to Job. 'Your oxen', he said, 'were at the plough, with the donkeys grazing at theirside,	14 a messenger came to Job and said, "The oxen were plowing and the asses grazing beside them,
15 when the Sabaeans swept down on them and carried them off, and put the servants to the sword: Ialone have escaped to tel you.'	15 and the Sabeans carried them off in a raid. They put the herdsmen to the sword, and I alone have escaped to tell you."
16 He had not finished speaking when another messenger arrived. 'The fire of God', he said, 'has fal enfrom heaven and burnt the sheep and shepherds to ashes: I alone have escaped to tell you.'	16 While he was yet speaking, another came and said, "Lightning has fallen from heaven and struck the sheep and their shepherds and consumed them; and I alone have escaped to tell you."
17 He had not finished speaking when another messenger arrived. 'The Chaldaeans,' he said, 'threebands of them, have raided the camels and made off with them, and put the servants to the sword: I alone haveescaped to tell you.'	17 While he was yet speaking, another came and said, "The Chaldeans formed three columns, seized the camels, carried them off, and put those tending them to the sword, and I alone have escaped to tell you."
18 He had not finished speaking when another messenger arrived. 'Your sons and daughters', he said,'were eating and drinking at their eldest brother's house,	18 While he was yet speaking, another came and said, "Your sons and daughters were eating and drinking wine in the house of their eldest brother,
19 when suddenly from the desert a gale sprang up, and it battered all four corners of the house which fellin on the young people. They are dead: I alone have escaped to tel you.'	19 when suddenly a great wind came across the desert and smote the four corners of the house. It fell upon the young people and they are dead; and I alone have escaped to tell you."
20 Then Job stood up, tore his robe and shaved his head. Then, fal ing to the ground, he prostratedhimself	20 Then Job began to tear his cloak and cut off his hair. He cast himself prostrate upon the ground,
21 and said: Naked I came from my mother's womb, naked I shal return again. Yahweh gave, Yahwehhas taken back. Blessed be the name of Yahweh!	21 and said, "Naked I came forth from my mother's womb, and naked shall I go back again. The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD!"
22 In al this misfortune Job committed no sin, and he did not reproach God.	22 In all this Job did not sin, nor did he say anything disrespectful of God.