Conclusion

⁶ Humble^(A) yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand^(B) of God, so that he may exalt you at the proper time, ⁷ casting all your cares on him, because he cares about you.^{(C) 8} Be sober-minded,^(D) be alert.^(E) Your adversary the devil^(F) is prowling around like a roaring lion, looking for anyone he can devour. ⁹ Resist him,^(G) firm in the faith, knowing that the same kind of sufferings are being experienced by your fellow believers throughout the world.

¹⁰ The God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory^(H) in Christ,^[a] will himself restore, establish, strengthen, and support you after you have suffered a little while.^{[b] 11} To him be dominion^[c] forever.^[d] Amen.

Job and His Family

1 There was a man in the country of Uz^(A) named Job.^(B) He was a man of complete integrity,^(C) who feared God and turned away from evil.^{(D) 2} He had seven sons and three daughters.^{(E) 3} His estate included seven thousand sheep and goats, three thousand camels, five hundred yoke of oxen, five hundred female donkeys,^(F) and a very large number of servants. Job was the greatest man among all the people of the east.^(G)

⁴ His sons used to take turns having banquets at their homes. They would send an invitation to their three sisters to eat and drink with them. ⁵ Whenever a round of banqueting was over, Job would send for his children and purify them, rising early in the morning to offer burnt offerings for^[a] all of them. For Job thought, “Perhaps my children have sinned, having cursed God in their hearts.”^(H) This was Job’s regular practice.

Satan’s First Test of Job

⁶ One day the sons of God^(I) came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan^[b] also came with them. ⁷ The Lord asked Satan, “Where have you come from?”

“From roaming through the earth,”^(J) Satan answered him, “and walking around on it.”

⁸ Then the Lord said to Satan, “Have you considered my servant Job? No one else on earth is like him, a man of perfect integrity,^(K) who fears God and turns away from evil.”^(L)

⁹ Satan answered the Lord, “Does Job fear God for nothing? ¹⁰ Haven’t you placed a hedge around^(M) him, his household, and everything he owns? You have blessed the work of his hands, and his possessions have increased in the land. ¹¹ But stretch out your hand and strike^(N) everything he owns, and he will surely curse you to your face.”

¹² “Very well,” the Lord told Satan, “everything he owns is in your power. However, do not lay a hand on Job himself.” So Satan left the Lord’s presence.

¹³ One day when Job’s sons and daughters were eating and drinking wine in their oldest brother’s house, ¹⁴ a messenger came to Job and reported, “While the oxen were plowing and the donkeys grazing nearby, ¹⁵ the Sabeans^(O) swooped down and took them away. They struck down the servants with the sword, and I alone have escaped to tell you!”

¹⁶ He was still speaking when another messenger came and reported, “God’s fire fell from heaven.^(P) It burned the sheep and the servants and devoured them, and I alone have escaped to tell you!”

¹⁷ That messenger was still speaking when yet another came and reported, “The Chaldeans formed three bands, made a raid on the camels, and took them away. They struck down the servants with the sword, and I alone have escaped to tell you!”

¹⁸ He was still speaking when another messenger came and reported, “Your sons and daughters were eating and drinking wine in their oldest brother’s house. ¹⁹ Suddenly a powerful wind swept in from the desert and struck the four corners of the house. It collapsed on the young people so that they died, and I alone have escaped to tell you!”

²⁰ Then Job stood up, tore^(Q) his robe, and shaved^(R) his head. He fell to the ground and worshiped, ²¹ saying:

²² Throughout all this Job did not sin or blame God for anything.^[d](V)

³ For although we live in the flesh, we do not wage war according to the flesh, ⁴ since the weapons of our warfare^(A) are not of the flesh, but are powerful^(B) through God for the demolition of strongholds. We demolish arguments ⁵ and every proud thing that is raised up against the knowledge^(C) of God, and we take every thought captive to obey Christ.

Pray for Us

3 In addition, brothers and sisters, pray for us that the word of the Lord may spread rapidly and be honored, just as it was with you,^{(A) 2} and that we may be delivered^(B) from wicked and evil people, for not all have faith.^{[a] 3} But the Lord is faithful; he will strengthen you and guard you from the evil one.^{(C) 4} We have confidence in the Lord about you, that you are doing and will continue to do what we command. ⁵ May the Lord direct your hearts to God’s love and Christ’s endurance.^(D)