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Job had 7 sons and 3 daughters.
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He owned 7,000 sheep, 3,000 camels, 500 pair of oxen, 500 donkeys, and a large number of servants. He was the richest person in the East.
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Job's sons took turns having feasts in their homes, and they always invited their three sisters to join in the eating and drinking.
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After each feast, Job would send for his children and perform a ceremony, as a way of asking God to forgive them of any wrongs they may have done. He would get up early the next morning and offer a sacrifice for each of them, just in case they had sinned or silently cursed God.
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Angels, the Lord, and Satan
One day, when the angels had gathered around the Lord, and Satan was there with them,
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the Lord asked, “Satan, where have you been?” Satan replied, “I have been going all over the earth.”
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Then the Lord asked, “What do you think of my servant Job? No one on earth is like him—he is a truly good person, who respects me and refuses to do evil.”
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“Why shouldn't he respect you?” Satan remarked.
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“You are like a wall protecting not only him, but his entire family and all his property. You make him successful in whatever he does, and his flocks and herds are everywhere.
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The Lord replied, “All right, Satan, do what you want with anything that belongs to him, but don't harm Job.” Then Satan left.
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Job Loses Everything
Job's sons and daughters were having a feast in the home of his oldest son,
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when someone rushed up to Job and said, “While your servants were plowing with your oxen, and your donkeys were nearby eating grass,
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a gang of Sabeans attacked and stole the oxen and donkeys! Your other servants were killed, and I am the only one who escaped to tell you.”
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That servant was still speaking, when a second one came running and said, “God sent down a fire that killed your sheep and your servants. I am the only one who escaped to tell you.”
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Before that servant finished speaking, a third one raced up and said, “Three gangs of Chaldeans attacked and stole your camels! All of your other servants were killed, and I am the only one who escaped to tell you.”
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That servant was still speaking, when a fourth one dashed up and said, “Your children were having a feast and drinking wine at the home of your oldest son,
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when suddenly a windstorm from the desert blew the house down, crushing all of your children. I am the only one who escaped to tell you.”
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When Job heard this, he tore his clothes and shaved his head because of his great sorrow. He knelt on the ground, then worshiped God
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and said: “We bring nothing at birth; we take nothing with us at death. The Lord alone gives and takes. Praise the name of the Lord!”
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In spite of everything, Job did not sin or accuse God of doing wrong.
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Job Loses His Health
When the angels gathered around the Lord again, Satan was there with them,
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and the Lord asked, “Satan, where have you been?” Satan replied, “I have been going all over the earth.”
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Then the Lord asked, “What do you think of my servant Job? No one on earth is like him—he is a truly good person, who respects me and refuses to do evil. And he hasn't changed, even though you persuaded me to destroy him for no reason.”
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Satan answered, “There's no pain like your own. People will do anything to stay alive.
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Try striking Job's own body with pain, and he will curse you to your face.”