Job's Character and Wealth

(James 5:7-12)

1There was a man in the land of Hus, whose name was Job, and that man was simple and upright, and fearing God, and avoiding evil. 2And there were born to him seven sons and three daughters. 3And his possession was seven thousand sheep, and three thousand camels, and five hundred yoke of oxen, and five hundred she asses, and a family exceeding great: and this man was great among all the people of the east. 4And his sons went, and made a feast by houses every one in his day. And sending they called their three sisters to eat and drink with them. 5And when the days of their feasting were gone about, Job sent to them, and sanctified them: and rising up early offered holocausts for every one of them. For he said: Lest perhaps my sons have sinned, and have blessed God in their hearts. So did Job all days.

Satan's First Attack

6Now on a certain day when the sons of God came to stand before the Lord, Satan also was present among them. 7And the Lord said to him: Whence comest thou ? And he answered and said: I have gone round about the earth, and walked through it. 8And the Lord said to him: Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a simple and upright man, and fearing God, and avoiding evil? 9And Satan answering, said: Doth Job fear God in vain ? 10Hast not thou made a fence for him, and his house, and all his substance round about, blessed the works of his hands, and his possession hath increased on the earth ? 11But stretch forth thy hand a little, and touch all that he hath, and see if he blesseth thee not to thy face. 12Then the Lord said to Satan: Behold, all that he hath is in thy hand: only put not forth thy hand upon his person. And Satan went forth from the presence of the Lord.

Job Loses his Children and Property

13Now upon a certain day when his sons and daughters were eating and drinking wine in the house of their eldest brother, 14There came a messenger to Job, and said: The oxen were ploughing, and the asses feeding beside them, 15And the Sabeans rushed in, and took all away, and slew the servants with the sword, and I alone have escaped to tell thee. 16And while he was yet speaking, another came, and said: The fire of God fell from heaven, and striking the sheep and the servants, hath consumed them, and I alone have escaped to tell thee. 17And while he also was yet speaking, there came another, and said: The Chaldeans made three troops, and have fallen upon the camels, and taken them, moreover they have slain the servants with the sword, and I alone have escaped to tell thee. 18He was yet speaking, and behold another came in, and said: Thy sons and daughters were eating and drinking wine in the house of their elder brother: 19A violent wind came on a sudden from the side of the desert, and shook the four corners of the house, and it fell upon thy children and they are dead, and I alone have escaped to fell thee.

20Then Job rose up, and rent his garments, and having shaven his head fell down upon the ground and worshipped,

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: as it hath pleased the Lord so is it done: blessed be the name of the Lord.

22In all these things Job sinned not by his lips, nor spoke he any foolish thing against God.