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 So now take seven bulls and seven rams^(A) and go to my servant Job^(B) and sacrifice a burnt offering^(C) for yourselves. My servant Job will pray for you, and I will accept his prayer^(D) and not deal with you according to your folly.^(E) You have not spoken the truth about me, as my servant Job has.”^{(F) 9} So Eliphaz the Temanite, Bildad the Shuhite and Zophar the Naamathite^(G) did what the Lord told them; and the Lord accepted Job’s prayer.^(H)