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Prologue
In the land of Uz there lived a man whose name was Job. This man was blameless and upright; he feared God and shunned evil.
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When a period of feasting had run its course, Job would make arrangements for them to be purified. Early in the morning he would sacrifice a burnt offering for each of them, thinking, “Perhaps my children have sinned and cursed God in their hearts.” This was Job’s regular custom.
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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.”
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“Does Job fear God for nothing?” Satan replied.
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The Lord said to Satan, “Very well, then, everything he has is in your power, but on the man himself do not lay a finger.” Then Satan went out from the presence of the Lord.
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While he was still speaking, another messenger came and said, “The fire of God fell from the heavens and burned up the sheep and the servants, and I am the only one who has escaped to tell you!”
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In all this, Job did not sin by charging God with wrongdoing.
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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. And he still maintains his integrity, though you incited me against him to ruin him without any reason.”
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The Lord said to Satan, “Very well, then, he is in your hands; but you must spare his life.”
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His wife said to him, “Are you still maintaining your integrity? Curse God and die!”
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He replied, “You are talking like a foolish woman. Shall we accept good from God, and not trouble?” In all this, Job did not sin in what he said.
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“May the day of my birth perish, and the night that said, ‘A boy is conceived!’
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That day—may it turn to darkness; may God above not care about it; may no light shine on it.
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“Why is light given to those in misery, and life to the bitter of soul,
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Why is life given to a man whose way is hidden, whom God has hedged in?
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At the breath of God they perish; at the blast of his anger they are no more.
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‘Can a mortal be more righteous than God? Can even a strong man be more pure than his Maker?
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If God places no trust in his servants, if he charges his angels with error,
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Yet man is born to trouble as surely as sparks fly upward.
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“But if I were you, I would appeal to God; I would lay my cause before him.
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“Blessed is the one whom God corrects; so do not despise the discipline of the Almighty.
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You will know that your tent is secure; you will take stock of your property and find nothing missing.
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“We have examined this, and it is true. So hear it and apply it to yourself.”
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The arrows of the Almighty are in me, my spirit drinks in their poison; God’s terrors are marshaled against me.
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Is tasteless food eaten without salt, or is there flavor in the sap of the mallow?