50 lines
3.2 KiB
Markdown
50 lines
3.2 KiB
Markdown
Prologue
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# Chapter 1
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1. There once was a man named Job who lived in the land of Uz. He was blameless--a man of complete integrity. He feared God and stayed away from evil.
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2. He had seven sons and three daughters.
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3. He owned 7,000 sheep, 3,000 camels, 500 teams of oxen, and 500 female donkeys. He also had many servants. He was, in fact, the richest person in that entire area.
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4. Job's sons would take turns preparing feasts in their homes, and they would also invite their three sisters to celebrate with them.
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5. When these celebrations ended--sometimes after several days--Job would purify his children. He would get up early in the morning and offer a burnt offering for each of them. For Job said to himself, "Perhaps my children have sinned and have cursed God in their hearts." This was Job's regular practice.
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Job's First Test
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6. One day the members of the heavenly court came to present themselves before the LORD, and the Accuser, Satan, came with them.
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7. "Where have you come from?" the LORD asked Satan.
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Satan answered the LORD, "I have been patrolling the earth, watching everything that's going on."
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8. Then the LORD asked Satan, "Have you noticed my servant Job? He is the finest man in all the earth. He is blameless--a man of complete integrity. He fears God and stays away from evil."
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9. Satan replied to the LORD, "Yes, but Job has good reason to fear God.
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10. You have always put a wall of protection around him and his home and his property. You have made him prosper in everything he does. Look how rich he is!
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11. But reach out and take away everything he has, and he will surely curse you to your face!"
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12. "All right, you may test him," the LORD said to Satan. "Do whatever you want with everything he possesses, but don't harm him physically." So Satan left the LORD's presence.
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13. One day when Job's sons and daughters were feasting at the oldest brother's house,
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14. a messenger arrived at Job's home with this news: "Your oxen were plowing, with the donkeys feeding beside them,
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15. when the Sabeans raided us. They stole all the animals and killed all the farmhands. I am the only one who escaped to tell you."
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16. While he was still speaking, another messenger arrived with this news: "The fire of God has fallen from heaven and burned up your sheep and all the shepherds. I am the only one who escaped to tell you."
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17. While he was still speaking, a third messenger arrived with this news: "Three bands of Chaldean raiders have stolen your camels and killed your servants. I am the only one who escaped to tell you."
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18. While he was still speaking, another messenger arrived with this news: "Your sons and daughters were feasting in their oldest brother's home.
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19. Suddenly, a powerful wind swept in from the wilderness and hit the house on all sides. The house collapsed, and all your children are dead. I am the only one who escaped to tell you."
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20. Job stood up and tore his robe in grief. Then he shaved his head and fell to the ground to worship.
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21. He said,
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"I came naked from my mother's womb,
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and I will be naked when I leave.
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The LORD gave me what I had,
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and the LORD has taken it away.
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Praise the name of the LORD!"
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22. In all of this, Job did not sin by blaming God.
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