Prologue

There once was a man named Job who lived in the land of Uz. He was blameless—a man of complete integrity. He feared God and stayed away from evil.

Then the Lord asked Satan, “Have you noticed my servant Job? He is the finest man in all the earth. He is blameless—a man of complete integrity. He fears God and stays away from evil.”

Satan replied to the Lord, “Yes, but Job has good reason to fear God.

Then the Lord asked Satan, “Have you noticed my servant Job? He is the finest man in all the earth. He is blameless—a man of complete integrity. He fears God and stays away from evil. And he has maintained his integrity, even though you urged me to harm him without cause.”

What I always feared has happened to me. What I dreaded has come true.

Fear gripped me, and my bones trembled.

You will be safe from slander and have no fear when destruction comes.

“One should be kind to a fainting friend, but you accuse me without any fear of the Almighty.

Then I could speak to him without fear, but I cannot do that in my own strength.

Then your face will brighten with innocence. You will be strong and free of fear.

Doesn’t his majesty terrify you? Doesn’t your fear of him overwhelm you?

Have you no fear of God, no reverence for him?

The sound of terror rings in their ears, and even on good days they fear the attack of the destroyer.

They dare not go out into the darkness for fear they will be murdered.

You should fear punishment yourselves, for your attitude deserves punishment. Then you will know that there is indeed a judgment.”

Their homes are safe from every fear, and God does not punish them.

That is why you are surrounded by traps and tremble from sudden fears.

And this is what he says to all humanity: ‘The fear of the Lord is true wisdom; to forsake evil is real understanding.’”

Have I feared the crowd or the contempt of the masses, so that I kept quiet and stayed indoors?

No wonder people everywhere fear him. All who are wise show him reverence.”

It laughs at fear and is unafraid. It does not run from the sword.

Nothing on earth is its equal, no other creature so fearless.