His sons used to hold feasts in their homes on their birthdays, and they would invite their three sisters to eat and drink with them.

When a period of feasting had run its course, Job would make arrangements for them to be purified. Early in the morning he would sacrifice a burnt offering for each of them, thinking, “Perhaps my children have sinned and cursed God in their hearts.” This was Job’s regular custom.

One day the angels came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan also came with them.

“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.

and the Sabeans attacked and made off with them. They put the servants to the sword, and I am the only one who has escaped to tell you!”

While he was still speaking, another messenger came and said, “The Chaldeans formed three raiding parties and swept down on your camels and made off with them. They put the servants to the sword, and I am the only one who has escaped to tell you!”

when suddenly a mighty wind swept in from the desert and struck the four corners of the house. It collapsed on them and they are dead, and I am the only one who has escaped to tell you!”

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

On another day the angels came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan also came with them to present himself before him.

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?

with kings and rulers of the earth, who built for themselves places now lying in ruins,

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?

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.