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.”

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.”

As I have observed, those who plow evil and those who sow trouble reap it.

“Surely God does not reject one who is blameless or strengthen the hands of evildoers.

Surely he recognizes deceivers; and when he sees evil, does he not take note?

if you put away the sin that is in your hand and allow no evil to dwell in your tent,

how much less mortals, who are vile and corrupt, who drink up evil like water!

They conceive trouble and give birth to evil; their womb fashions deceit.”

Surely such is the dwelling of an evil man; such is the place of one who does not know God.”

“Though evil is sweet in his mouth and he hides it under his tongue,

And he said to the human race, “The fear of the Lord—that is wisdom, and to shun evil is understanding.”

Yet when I hoped for good, evil came; when I looked for light, then came darkness.

He keeps company with evildoers; he associates with the wicked.

“So listen to me, you men of understanding. Far be it from God to do evil, from the Almighty to do wrong.

There is no deep shadow, no utter darkness, where evildoers can hide.

He makes them listen to correction and commands them to repent of their evil.

Beware of turning to evil, which you seem to prefer to affliction.