Prologue

In the land of Uz there lived a man whose name was Job. This man was blameless and upright; he feared God and shunned evil.

Then the Lord said to Satan, “Have you considered my servant Job? There is no one on earth like him; he is blameless and upright, a man who fears God and shuns evil.”

“Does Job fear God for nothing?” Satan replied.

“Have you not put a hedge around him and his household and everything he has? You have blessed the work of his hands, so that his flocks and herds are spread throughout the land.

The Lord said to Satan, “Very well, then, everything he has is in your power, but on the man himself do not lay a finger.” Then Satan went out from the presence of the Lord.

In all this, Job did not sin by charging God with wrongdoing.

Then the Lord said to Satan, “Have you considered my servant Job? There is no one on earth like him; he is blameless and upright, a man who fears God and shuns evil. And he still maintains his integrity, though you incited me against him to ruin him without any reason.”

He replied, “You are talking like a foolish woman. Shall we accept good from God, and not trouble?” In all this, Job did not sin in what he said.

That day—may it turn to darkness; may God above not care about it; may no light shine on it.

That night—may thick darkness seize it; may it not be included among the days of the year nor be entered in any of the months.

May its morning stars become dark; may it wait for daylight in vain and not see the first rays of dawn,

for it did not shut the doors of the womb on me to hide trouble from my eyes.

“Why did I not perish at birth, and die as I came from the womb?

Or why was I not hidden away in the ground like a stillborn child, like an infant who never saw the light of day?

to those who long for death that does not come, who search for it more than for hidden treasure,

What I feared has come upon me; what I dreaded has happened to me.

Should not your piety be your confidence and your blameless ways your hope?

fear and trembling seized me and made all my bones shake.

It stopped, but I could not tell what it was. A form stood before my eyes, and I heard a hushed voice:

Are not the cords of their tent pulled up, so that they die without wisdom?’

For hardship does not spring from the soil, nor does trouble sprout from the ground.

“Blessed is the one whom God corrects; so do not despise the discipline of the Almighty.

You will be protected from the lash of the tongue, and need not fear when destruction comes.

You will laugh at destruction and famine, and need not fear the wild animals.

You will know that your tent is secure; you will take stock of your property and find nothing missing.