Prologue

1 In the land of Uz^(A) there lived a man whose name was Job.^(B) This man was blameless^(C) and upright;^(D) he feared God^(E) and shunned evil.^(F)

⁵ When a period of feasting had run its course, Job would make arrangements for them to be purified.^(A) Early in the morning he would sacrifice a burnt offering^(B) for each of them, thinking, “Perhaps my children have sinned^(C) and cursed God^(D) in their hearts.” This was Job’s regular custom.

⁸ Then the Lord said to Satan, “Have you considered my servant Job?^(A) There is no one on earth like him; he is blameless and upright, a man who fears God^(B) and shuns evil.”^(C)

³ 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.^(A) And he still maintains his integrity,^(B) though you incited me against him to ruin him without any reason.”^(C)

¹⁴ even if these three men—Noah,^(A) Daniel^[a](B) and Job^(C)—were in it, they could save only themselves by their righteousness,^(D) declares the Sovereign Lord.

²⁰ as surely as I live, declares the Sovereign Lord, even if Noah, Daniel and Job were in it, they could save neither son nor daughter. They would save only themselves by their righteousness.^(A)