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Saturday, 7 December 2024 - Sant´ Ambrogio v. ( Letture di oggi)

Job 1


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1In the land of Uz there was a blameless and upright man named Job, who feared God and avoided evil.2Seven sons and three daughters were born to him;3and 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.4His sons used to take turns giving feasts, sending invitations to their three sisters to eat and drink with them.5And 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.6One day, when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, Satan also came among them.7And the LORD said to Satan, "Whence do you come?" Then Satan answered the LORD and said, "From roaming the earth and patrolling it."8And 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?"9But Satan answered the LORD and said, "Is it for nothing that Job is God-fearing?10Have 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.11But now put forth your hand and touch anything that he has, and surely he will blaspheme you to your face."12And 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.13And so one day, while his sons and his daughters were eating and drinking wine in the house of their eldest brother,14a messenger came to Job and said, "The oxen were plowing and the asses grazing beside them,15and the Sabeans carried them off in a raid. They put the herdsmen to the sword, and I alone have escaped to tell you."16While 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."17While 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."18While he was yet speaking, another came and said, "Your sons and daughters were eating and drinking wine in the house of their eldest brother,19when 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."20Then Job began to tear his cloak and cut off his hair. He cast himself prostrate upon the ground,21and 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!"22In all this Job did not sin, nor did he say anything disrespectful of God.