4His sons used to take turns having banquets at their homes. They would send an invitation to their three sisters to eat and drink with them.

5Whenever a round of banqueting was over, Job would send for his children and purify them, rising early in the morning to offer burnt offerings for1:5 Lit for the number of all of them. For Job thought, “Perhaps my children have sinned, having cursed God in their hearts.”1:5 Jb 42:8 This was Job’s regular practice.

8Then the Lord said to Satan, “Have you considered my servant Job? No one else on earth is like him, a man of perfect integrity,1:8 Ps 25:21; Pr 29:10 who fears God and turns away from evil.”1:8 Jb 28:28; Pr 3:7; 13:19; 14:16; 16:6,17

9Satan answered the Lord, “Does Job fear God for nothing?

10Haven’t you placed a hedge around1:10 Ps 34:7 him, his household, and everything he owns? You have blessed the work of his hands, and his possessions have increased in the land.

11But stretch out your hand and strike1:11 Jb 2:5; 4:5; 5:19 everything he owns, and he will surely curse you to your face.”

12“Very well,” the Lord told Satan, “everything he owns is in your power. However, do not lay a hand on Job himself.” So Satan left the Lord’s presence.

13One day when Job’s sons and daughters were eating and drinking wine in their oldest brother’s house,

14a messenger came to Job and reported, “While the oxen were plowing and the donkeys grazing nearby,

15the Sabeans1:15 Gn 10:7; Jb 6:19; Is 45:14 swooped down and took them away. They struck down the servants with the sword, and I alone have escaped to tell you!”

16He was still speaking when another messenger came and reported, “God’s fire fell from heaven.1:16 Gn 19:24; 1Kg 18:38; 2Kg 1:10–14 It burned the sheep and the servants and devoured them, and I alone have escaped to tell you!”

17That messenger was still speaking when yet another came and reported, “The Chaldeans formed three bands, made a raid on the camels, and took them away. They struck down the servants with the sword, and I alone have escaped to tell you!”

18He was still speaking when another messenger came and reported, “Your sons and daughters were eating and drinking wine in their oldest brother’s house.

19Suddenly a powerful wind swept in from the desert and struck the four corners of the house. It collapsed on the young people so that they died, and I alone have escaped to tell you!”

20Then Job stood up, tore1:20 Gn 37:29,34; Jos 7:6; Jb 2:12 his robe, and shaved1:20 Jr 7:29; Ezk 7:18; Mc 1:16 his head. He fell to the ground and worshiped,

21saying:

22Throughout all this Job did not sin or blame God for anything.1:22 Lit or ascribe blame to God1:22 Jb 2:10