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;
3. and he had seven thousand sheep, three thousand camels, five hundred yoke of oxen, five hundred she-donkeys, and a very large household, so that he was greater than anyone in the East.
4. His sons used to take turns giving feasts, sending invitations to their three sisters to eat and drink with them.
5. And when each feast had run its course, Job would send for them and sanctify them, rising early and offering sacrifices for every one of them. For Job said, “It may be that my children have sinned and cursed God in their hearts.” Job did this habitually.
6. One day, when the sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord, the satan also came among them.
7. The Lord said to the satan, “Where have you been?” Then the satan answered the Lord and said, “Roaming the earth and patrolling it.”
8. The Lord said to the satan, “Have you noticed my servant Job? There is no one on earth like him, blameless and upright, fearing God and avoiding evil.”
9. The satan answered the Lord and said, “Is it for nothing that Job is God-fearing?
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 now put forth your hand and touch all that he has, and surely he will curse you to your face.”