约伯的敬虔
1乌斯有一个人名叫约伯，他纯全正直，敬畏上帝，远离罪恶。 2他有七子三女、 3七千只羊、三千只骆驼、五百对牛、五百头母驴及许多仆婢。他在东方人中最富有。 4约伯的儿子们经常轮流在自己家里设宴，派人邀请他们的三个姊妹来一起吃喝。 5宴会的日子结束后，约伯便派人召来他的儿女，为他们行洁净礼。他清早起来，为他们每个人献上燔祭，因为他想：“也许我的孩子们犯了罪，心中亵渎了上帝。”约伯常常这样做。
撒旦控告约伯
6有一天，众天使1:6 “众天使”希伯来文是“上帝的众子”，2:1和38:7同。来朝见耶和华，撒旦也在他们当中。 7耶和华问撒旦：“你从哪里来？”撒旦答道：“我在地上到处游走。” 8耶和华问撒旦：“你注意到我的仆人约伯了吗？世上没有人像他那样纯全正直，敬畏我，远离罪恶。” 9撒旦说：“约伯敬畏你难道无缘无故吗？ 10你岂不是像篱笆一样四面保护他及其全家和一切产业吗？你使他事事蒙福，牛羊遍地。 11倘若你伸手毁坏他拥有的一切，他必当面亵渎你。” 12耶和华对撒旦说：“好吧，他的一切都在你手中，但不可伤害他。”撒旦便从耶和华面前退去。
约伯失去所有
13有一天，约伯的儿女正在长兄家吃喝， 14有报信的人来对约伯说：“牛正在耕田、驴正在旁边吃草的时候， 15示巴人忽然来袭，抢走了牲口，用刀杀了你的仆人，只有我一人逃脱来向你报信。” 16话音未落，又有人来报信说：“上帝的火从天而降，烧死了羊群和牧人，只有我一人逃脱来向你报信。” 17话音未落，又有人来报信说：“迦勒底人分三队来袭，抢走了骆驼，用刀杀了你的仆人，只有我一人逃脱来向你报信。” 18话音未落，又有人来报信说：“你的儿女正在长兄家吃喝的时候， 19忽然从旷野刮来一阵狂风，摧毁了房子四角，房子倒塌，压死了屋里所有的人，只有我一人逃脱来向你报信。”
20约伯站起来，撕裂外袍，剃掉头发，俯伏在地上敬拜， 21说：“我从母腹赤身而来，也必赤身而去。赏赐的是耶和华，收回的也是耶和华。耶和华的名当受称颂！” 22约伯遭此不幸，仍没有犯罪，也没有埋怨上帝。
1There 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. 2And there were born unto him 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.1.3 substance: or, cattle1.3 household: or, husbandry1.3 men: Heb. sons
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. 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.1.5 continually: Heb. all the days
6¶ Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan came also among them.1.6 Satan: Heb. the adversary1.6 among: Heb. in the midst of 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. 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?1.8 considered: Heb. set thy heart on 9Then Satan answered the LORD, and said, Doth Job fear God for nought? 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.1.10 substance: or, cattle 11But put forth thine hand now, and touch all that he hath, and he will curse thee to thy face.1.11 and he…: Heb. if he curse thee not to thy 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.1.12 power: Heb. hand
13¶ And there was a day when his sons and his daughters were eating and drinking wine in their eldest brother’s house: 14And there came a messenger unto Job, and said, The oxen were plowing, and the asses feeding beside them: 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. 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.1.16 The fire…: or, A great fire 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.1.17 fell: Heb. rushed 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: 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.1.19 from…: Heb. from aside, etc
20Then Job arose, and rent his mantle, and shaved his head, and fell down upon the ground, and worshipped,1.20 mantle: or, robe 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. 22In all this Job sinned not, nor charged God foolishly.1.22 charged…: or, attributed folly to God
