Bible Stories: Job (Chapter I)

A man named Job, lived in Uz; He was an upright, blameless man; He was a God-fearing one too; He turned away from all evil. He was the greatest in the East; He had a wife and children ten- Three daughters and sons seven. He owned a lot of animals- Sheep- seven thousand, Camels- three thousand, Oxen in yoke- five hundred, Female asses- five hundred, Beasts of burden- many more! His birthday was held by his sons; Their sisters came to eat and drink; Job blessed them all and sent away; Next day, he offered burnt offerings; He did this often telling God, “Perhaps, my children have sinned, Lord! ” When angels came before Yahweh, Satan too joined them, one day; The Lord asked him, “Whence do you come? ” And Satan told, “By roaming earth, And going on lands, back and forth.” God asked, “Did you notice my servant Job? There’s none like him upon the earth! ” Satan said, “Does Job fear You for free? ” “You placed a hedge around his house; You’ve blessed his work in abundance; Just touch his things; he’ll renounce You.” God said, ‘You may test him but spare his life.’ So, Satan went from God to earth. One day, when job with family ate, A messenger gave him bad news: ‘Sabeans took your asses, oxen, Killed all servants, just I escaped’ Another told, ‘God’s fire fell down And burnt the sheep and servants all; Just I escaped to tell you this.’ A third one said, ‘The Chaldeans In three bands took camels away Killed all servants and sped their way, Just I escaped to tell today.’ A fourth one said, ‘A fierce wind came Flattened your house and left all dead, Just I escaped to tell you this! ’ Job shaved his head and tore his robe, And fell upon the ground, prostrate. He worshipped God, his Lord and said, ‘Naked I came from mother’s womb, Now, naked shall I too return. God gave and took; Bless’d be His name! ’ Job didn’t sin nor God, did he blame.