³² He said to them, “Go!” So they came out and went into the pigs, and the whole herd rushed down the steep bank into the lake and died in the water.

¹³ He gave them permission, and the impure spirits came out and went into the pigs. The herd, about two thousand in number, rushed down the steep bank into the lake and were drowned.

The Judgment of Satan

⁷ When the thousand years are over,^(A) Satan will be released from his prison

²⁸ They did what your power and will had decided beforehand should happen.^(A)

²³ This man was handed over to you by God’s deliberate plan and foreknowledge;^(A) and you, with the help of wicked men,^[a] put him to death by nailing him to the cross.^(B)

³³ When the demons came out of the man, they went into the pigs, and the herd rushed down the steep bank into the lake^(A) and was drowned.

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)

⁴ “Skin for skin!” Satan replied. “A man will give all he has^(D) for his own life. ⁵ But now stretch out your hand and strike his flesh and bones,^(E) and he will surely curse you to your face.”^(F)

⁶ The Lord said to Satan, “Very well, then, he is in your hands;^(G) but you must spare his life.”^(H)

⁷ So Satan went out from the presence of the Lord and afflicted Job with painful sores from the soles of his feet to the crown of his head.^{(I) 8} Then Job took a piece of broken pottery and scraped himself with it as he sat among the ashes.^(J)

¹⁰ “Have you not put a hedge^(A) around him and his household and everything he has?^(B) You have blessed the work of his hands, so that his flocks and herds are spread throughout the land.^{(C) 11} But now stretch out your hand and strike everything he has,^(D) and he will surely curse you to your face.”^(E)

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

Then Satan went out from the presence of the Lord.

¹³ One day when Job’s sons and daughters^(H) were feasting^(I) 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^(J) nearby, ¹⁵ and the Sabeans^(K) 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^(L) and burned up the sheep and the servants,^(M) 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^(N) 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^(O) were feasting^(P) and drinking wine at the oldest brother’s house, ¹⁹ when suddenly a mighty wind^(Q) swept in from the desert and struck the four corners of the house. It collapsed on them and they are dead,^(R) and I am the only one who has escaped to tell you!^(S)”

²² “‘By what means?’ the Lord asked.

“‘I will go out and be a deceiving^(A) spirit in the mouths of all his prophets,’ he said.

“‘You will succeed in enticing him,’ said the Lord. ‘Go and do it.’