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Integridad y riquezas de Job

Hubo un hombre en la tierra de Uz(A) llamado Job(B); y era aquel hombre intachable[a], recto(C), temeroso de[b] Dios(D) y apartado del mal(E). Y le nacieron siete hijos y tres hijas(F). Su hacienda era de siete mil ovejas, tres mil camellos, quinientas yuntas de bueyes, quinientas asnas(G) y muchísima servidumbre; y era aquel hombre el más grande(H) de todos los hijos del oriente. Sus hijos solían ir y hacer un banquete en la casa de cada uno por turno, e invitaban[c] a sus tres hermanas para que comieran y bebieran con ellos. Y sucedía que cuando los días del banquete habían pasado[d], Job enviaba a buscarlos y los santificaba, y levantándose temprano, ofrecía holocaustos(I) conforme al número de todos ellos. Porque Job decía: Quizá mis hijos hayan pecado(J) y maldecido a Dios en sus corazones(K). Así hacía Job siempre. Hubo un día cuando los hijos de Dios vinieron a presentarse delante del Señor(L), y Satanás[e] vino también entre ellos(M). Y el Señor dijo a Satanás: ¿De dónde vienes? Entonces Satanás respondió al Señor, y dijo: De recorrer la tierra y de andar por ella(N). Y el Señor dijo a Satanás: ¿Te has fijado[f] en mi siervo Job(O)? Porque no hay ninguno como él sobre la tierra, hombre intachable[g] y recto, temeroso de[h] Dios y apartado del mal(P). Respondió Satanás(Q) al Señor[i]: ¿Acaso teme Job a Dios de balde? 10 ¿No has hecho tú una valla alrededor de él, de su casa y de todo lo que tiene, por todos lados(R)? Has bendecido el trabajo de sus manos(S) y sus posesiones han aumentado en la tierra(T). 11 Pero extiende ahora tu mano y toca todo lo que tiene(U), verás si no te maldice en tu misma cara(V). 12 Entonces el Señor dijo a Satanás: He aquí, todo lo que tiene está en tu poder[j]; pero no extiendas tu mano sobre él. Y Satanás salió de la presencia del Señor.

Dios permite las pruebas de Job

13 Y aconteció que un[k] día en que sus hijos y sus hijas estaban comiendo y bebiendo vino en la casa del hermano mayor, 14 vino un mensajero a Job y dijo: Los bueyes estaban arando y las asnas paciendo junto a ellos, 15 y los sabeos[l](W) atacaron[m] y se los llevaron. También mataron[n] a los criados a filo de espada; solo yo[o] escapé para contártelo. 16 Mientras estaba este hablando, vino otro y dijo: Fuego de Dios cayó del cielo y quemó las ovejas y a los criados y los consumió(X); solo yo escapé para contártelo. 17 Mientras estaba este hablando, vino otro y dijo: Los caldeos(Y) formaron tres cuadrillas y atacaron los camellos y se los llevaron, y mataron[p] a los criados a filo de espada; solo yo escapé para contártelo. 18 Mientras estaba este hablando, vino otro y dijo: Tus hijos y tus hijas estaban comiendo y bebiendo vino en la casa de su hermano mayor, 19 y he aquí, vino un gran viento del otro lado del desierto y azotó las cuatro esquinas de la casa, y esta cayó sobre los jóvenes y murieron; solo yo escapé para contártelo.

20 Entonces Job se levantó, rasgó su manto, se rasuró la cabeza, y postrándose en tierra(Z), adoró, 21 y dijo:

Desnudo salí del vientre de mi madre
y desnudo volveré allá(AA).
El Señor dio y el Señor quitó(AB);
bendito sea el nombre del Señor.

22 En todo esto Job no pecó ni culpó[q] a Dios(AC).

Footnotes

  1. Job 1:1 O, íntegro
  2. Job 1:1 O, que reverencia a
  3. Job 1:4 O, enviaban y convidaban
  4. Job 1:5 Lit., completado su ciclo
  5. Job 1:6 I.e., el adversario, y así en el resto del cap.
  6. Job 1:8 Lit., ¿Has puesto tu corazón
  7. Job 1:8 O, íntegro
  8. Job 1:8 O, que reverencia a
  9. Job 1:9 Lit., al Señor, y dijo
  10. Job 1:12 Lit., mano
  11. Job 1:13 Lit., el
  12. Job 1:15 Lit., Seba o Sabá
  13. Job 1:15 Lit., cayeron sobre
  14. Job 1:15 Lit., hirieron
  15. Job 1:15 Lit., solamente yo solo, y así en los vers. 16, 17 y 19
  16. Job 1:17 Lit., hirieron
  17. Job 1:22 Lit., atribuyó despropósito

Once there was a man from Uz by the name of Job. He was a very good man—his character spotless, his integrity unquestioned. In fact, he so believed in God that he sought to honor Him in all things. He deliberately avoided evil in all of his affairs. He had 7 sons and 3 daughters; he owned 7,000 sheep, 3,000 camels, 500 teams of oxen, 500 female donkeys, and a large number of servants. Among Easterners, he was the most powerful and influential man. His sons, who were all wealthy landowners, too, all used to gather together on each others’ birthdays and special occasions. The brothers would take turns hosting the others in their homes, and they would invite their three sisters to eat and drink with them. When these days of feasting were through, Job would call all of his family to his own house and purify them, rising up early in the morning to offer burnt sacrifices for each one.

Job: God, forgive my children for any secret sins or grudges they have against You deep in their hearts.

No worshiper of God could ever curse Him, so the Hebrew says “bless God” when the reality is, as Job says, they have “grudges . . . deep in their hearts.”

Job did this again and again.

Now one day, it came time for the sons of God, God’s heavenly messengers, to present themselves to the Eternal One to give reports and receive instructions. The Accuser[a] was with them there.

The dialogue between the Accuser and God is similar to what might be heard during a court case. Job is a person of the utmost integrity; he is someone God highly respects as His servant. Attacked by the Accuser in God’s heavenly court, Job’s actions are both supported and evaluated by God, who fills the roles of both Job’s Advocate and the Promoter of Justice.

Eternal One (to the Accuser): Where have you been?

The Accuser: Oh, roaming here and there, running about the earth and observing its inhabitants.

Eternal One: Well, have you looked into the man, Job, My servant? He is unlike any other person on the whole earth—a very good man—his character spotless, his integrity unquestioned. In fact, he so believes in Me that he seeks, in all things, to honor Me and deliberately avoids evil in all of his affairs.

The Accuser: I won’t argue with You that he is pious, but is all of this believing in You and honoring You for no reason? 10 Haven’t You encircled him with Your very own protection, and not only him but his entire household and all that he has? Not only this, but Your blessing accompanies whatever his hand touches, and see how his possessions have grown. It is easy to be so pious in the face of such prosperity. 11 So now extend Your hand! Destroy all of these possessions of his, and he will certainly curse You, right to Your face.

Eternal One: 12 I delegate this task to you. His possessions are now in your hand. One thing, though: you are not to lay a finger on the man himself. Job must not be touched.

With that, the Accuser left the court and the Eternal’s presence.

13 Now one day, all of Job’s children were gathered together under the roof of Job’s firstborn for their usual celebration—feasting and drinking wine— 14 when a messenger came to Job.

Messenger: We were in the field. The oxen were plowing, the donkeys were grazing nearby, 15 and out of nowhere, the Sabeans attacked. They stole your animals, all 1,000 oxen and donkeys, and as for your servants, they put their swords to us, and everyone is dead—every last one, except me. I am the only one who got away from the fields to tell you.

16 And while the words were still leaving the messenger’s mouth, another messenger arrived.

Second Messenger: Lightning has struck! The fire of God fell from the sky and burned the 7,000 sheep alive . . . alive! Shepherds, too—all of them burned; everyone is dead—every last one, except me. I am the only one who got away from the pastures to tell you.

17 And while the words were still leaving that messenger’s mouth, a third messenger arrived.

Third Messenger: Chaldeans! Three groups of them attacked us. They converged on the camels and stole your 3,000 animals, and as for your servants, they put their swords to us, and everyone is dead—every last one, except me. I am the only one who got away to tell you.

18 And while the words were still leaving that messenger’s mouth, yet a fourth messenger arrived.

Fourth Messenger: All of your children were gathered together today under the roof of your firstborn to celebrate—eating a feast and drinking wine— 19 and then a powerful wind rose up from the other side of the desert, and it struck all four corners of the house. It collapsed! Everyone is dead—all of those young people—every last one, except me. I am the only one who got away from your son’s house to tell you.

20 Then Job stood up, tore his robe, shaved his head, and fell to the ground. Face down, Job sprawled in the dirt to worship.

21 Job: I was naked, with nothing, when I came from my mother’s womb;
        and naked, with nothing, I will return to the earth.
    The Eternal has given, and He has taken away.
        May the name of the Eternal One be blessed.

22 In all of this Job neither sinned nor did he make foolish charges against God.

Footnotes

  1. 1:6 Literally, the Satan

Prologue

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) He had seven sons(G) and three daughters,(H) and he owned seven thousand sheep, three thousand camels, five hundred yoke of oxen and five hundred donkeys,(I) and had a large number of servants.(J) He was the greatest man(K) among all the people of the East.(L)

His sons used to hold feasts(M) in their homes on their birthdays, and they would invite their three sisters to eat and drink with them. When a period of feasting had run its course, Job would make arrangements for them to be purified.(N) Early in the morning he would sacrifice a burnt offering(O) for each of them, thinking, “Perhaps my children have sinned(P) and cursed God(Q) in their hearts.” This was Job’s regular custom.

One day the angels[a](R) came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan[b](S) also came with them.(T) The Lord said to Satan, “Where have you come from?”

Satan answered the Lord, “From roaming throughout the earth, going back and forth on it.”(U)

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

“Does Job fear God for nothing?”(Y) Satan replied. 10 “Have you not put a hedge(Z) around him and his household and everything he has?(AA) You have blessed the work of his hands, so that his flocks and herds are spread throughout the land.(AB) 11 But now stretch out your hand and strike everything he has,(AC) and he will surely curse you to your face.”(AD)

12 The Lord said to Satan, “Very well, then, everything he has(AE) is in your power, but on the man himself do not lay a finger.”(AF)

Then Satan went out from the presence of the Lord.

13 One day when Job’s sons and daughters(AG) were feasting(AH) and drinking wine at the oldest brother’s house, 14 a messenger came to Job and said, “The oxen were plowing and the donkeys were grazing(AI) nearby, 15 and the Sabeans(AJ) attacked and made off with them. They put the servants to the sword, and I am the only one who has escaped to tell you!”

16 While he was still speaking, another messenger came and said, “The fire of God fell from the heavens(AK) and burned up the sheep and the servants,(AL) and I am the only one who has escaped to tell you!”

17 While he was still speaking, another messenger came and said, “The Chaldeans(AM) formed three raiding parties and swept down on your camels and made off with them. They put the servants to the sword, and I am the only one who has escaped to tell you!”

18 While he was still speaking, yet another messenger came and said, “Your sons and daughters(AN) were feasting(AO) and drinking wine at the oldest brother’s house, 19 when suddenly a mighty wind(AP) swept in from the desert and struck the four corners of the house. It collapsed on them and they are dead,(AQ) and I am the only one who has escaped to tell you!(AR)

20 At this, Job got up and tore his robe(AS) and shaved his head.(AT) Then he fell to the ground in worship(AU) 21 and said:

“Naked I came from my mother’s womb,
    and naked I will depart.[c](AV)
The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away;(AW)
    may the name of the Lord be praised.”(AX)

22 In all this, Job did not sin by charging God with wrongdoing.(AY)

Footnotes

  1. Job 1:6 Hebrew the sons of God
  2. Job 1:6 Hebrew satan means adversary.
  3. Job 1:21 Or will return there

I. Prologue

Chapter 1

Job’s Piety. In the land of Uz[a] there was a blameless and upright man named Job,(A) who feared God and avoided evil. Seven sons and three daughters were born to him; and he had seven thousand sheep, three thousand camels, five hundred yoke of oxen, five hundred she-donkeys, and a very large household, so that he was greater than anyone in the East.[b] His sons used to take turns giving feasts, sending invitations to their three sisters to eat and drink with them. And when each feast had run its course, Job would send for them and sanctify them, rising early and offering sacrifices for every one of them. For Job said, “It may be that my children have sinned and cursed[c] God in their hearts.” Job did this habitually.

The Interview Between the Lord and the Satan. (B)One day, when the sons of God[d] came to present themselves before the Lord, the satan also came among them.(C) The Lord said to the satan, “Where have you been?” Then the satan answered the Lord and said,(D) “Roaming the earth and patrolling it.” The Lord said to the satan, “Have you noticed my servant Job? There is no one on earth like him, blameless and upright, fearing God and avoiding evil.” The satan answered the Lord and said, “Is it for nothing that Job is God-fearing? 10 Have you not surrounded him and his family and all that he has with your protection? You have blessed the work of his hands, and his livestock are spread over the land. 11 (E)But now put forth your hand and touch all that he has, and surely he will curse you to your face.” 12 The Lord said to the satan, “Very well, all that he has is in your power; only do not lay a hand on him.” So the satan went forth from the presence of the Lord.

The First Trial. 13 One day, while his sons and daughters were eating and drinking wine in the house of their eldest brother, 14 a messenger came to Job and said, “The oxen were plowing and the donkeys grazing beside them, 15 and the Sabeans[e] carried them off in a raid. They put the servants to the sword, and I alone have escaped to tell you.” 16 He was still speaking when another came and said, “God’s fire has fallen from heaven and struck the sheep and the servants and consumed them; I alone have escaped to tell you.” 17 He was still speaking when another came and said, “The Chaldeans[f] formed three columns, seized the camels, carried them off, and put the servants to the sword; I alone have escaped to tell you.” 18 He was still speaking when another came and said, “Your sons and daughters were eating and drinking wine in the house of their eldest brother, 19 and suddenly a great wind came from across the desert and smashed the four corners of the house. It fell upon the young people and they are dead; I alone have escaped to tell you.”

Job’s Reaction. 20 Then Job arose and tore his cloak and cut off his hair. He fell to the ground and worshiped. 21 He said,

“Naked I came forth from my mother’s womb,(F)
    and naked shall I go back there.[g]
The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away;
    blessed be the name of the Lord!”

22 In all this Job did not sin,(G) nor did he charge God with wrong.

Footnotes

  1. 1:1 Uz: somewhere in Edom or Arabia; see Lam 4:21. Job: the name probably means “Where is the (divine) father?” In Hebrew it is almost a homonym with the word for “enemy” (see note on 13:24; cf. 33:10).
  2. 1:3 The East: that is, east of Palestine.
  3. 1:5 Cursed: lit., “blessed.” So also in v. 11; 2:5, 9.
  4. 1:6 Sons of God: members of the divine council; see Gn 6:1–4; Dt 32:8; Ps 82:1. The satan: lit., “adversary” (as in 1 Kgs 11:14). Here a member of the heavenly court, “the accuser” (Zec 3:1). In later biblical traditions this character will be developed as the devil (Gk. diabolos, “adversary”).
  5. 1:15 Sabeans: from southern Arabia.
  6. 1:17 Chaldeans: from southern Mesopotamia; in the mid-first millennium B.C., synonymous with “Babylonians.”
  7. 1:21 Go back there: to the earth; cf. Gn 2:7; see note on Sir 40:1.

There was a man in the land of Uz, whose name was Job; and that man was perfect and upright, and one that feared God, and eschewed evil.

And there were born unto him seven sons and three daughters.

His substance also was seven thousand sheep, and three thousand camels, and five hundred yoke of oxen, and five hundred she asses, and a very great household; so that this man was the greatest of all the men of the east.

And his sons went and feasted in their houses, every one his day; and sent and called for their three sisters to eat and to drink with them.

And it was so, when the days of their feasting were gone about, that Job sent and sanctified them, and rose up early in the morning, and offered burnt offerings according to the number of them all: for Job said, It may be that my sons have sinned, and cursed God in their hearts. Thus did Job continually.

Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan came also among them.

And the Lord said unto Satan, Whence comest thou? Then Satan answered the Lord, and said, From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it.

And the Lord said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil?

Then Satan answered the Lord, and said, Doth Job fear God for nought?

10 Hast not thou made an hedge about him, and about his house, and about all that he hath on every side? thou hast blessed the work of his hands, and his substance is increased in the land.

11 But put forth thine hand now, and touch all that he hath, and he will curse thee to thy face.

12 And the Lord said unto Satan, Behold, all that he hath is in thy power; only upon himself put not forth thine hand. So Satan went forth from the presence of the Lord.

13 And there was a day when his sons and his daughters were eating and drinking wine in their eldest brother's house:

14 And there came a messenger unto Job, and said, The oxen were plowing, and the asses feeding beside them:

15 And the Sabeans fell upon them, and took them away; yea, they have slain the servants with the edge of the sword; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee.

16 While he was yet speaking, there came also another, and said, The fire of God is fallen from heaven, and hath burned up the sheep, and the servants, and consumed them; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee.

17 While he was yet speaking, there came also another, and said, The Chaldeans made out three bands, and fell upon the camels, and have carried them away, yea, and slain the servants with the edge of the sword; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee.

18 While he was yet speaking, there came also another, and said, Thy sons and thy daughters were eating and drinking wine in their eldest brother's house:

19 And, behold, there came a great wind from the wilderness, and smote the four corners of the house, and it fell upon the young men, and they are dead; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee.

20 Then Job arose, and rent his mantle, and shaved his head, and fell down upon the ground, and worshipped,

21 And said, Naked came I out of my mother's womb, and naked shall I return thither: the Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.

22 In all this Job sinned not, nor charged God foolishly.