God

And I chid them, and laid my curse upon them. And I beat some of them, and shaved off their hair, and made them swear by God that they would not give their daughters to their sons, nor take their daughters for their sons, nor for themselves, saying:

Did not Solomon king of Israel sin in this kind of thing: and surely among many nations, there was not a king like him, and he was beloved of his God, and God made him king over all Israel: and yet women of other countries brought even him to sin.

And shall we also be disobedient and do all this great evil to transgress against our God, and marry strange women:

Remember them, O Lord my God, that defile the priesthood, and the law of priests and Levites.

And for the offering of wood at times appointed, and for the firstfruits: remember me, O my God, unto good. Amen.

There was a man in the land of Hus, whose name was Job, and that man was simple and upright, and fearing God, and avoiding evil.

And when the days of their feasting were gone about, Job sent to them, and sanctified them: and rising up early, offered holocausts for every one of them. For he said: Lest perhaps my sons have sinned, and have blessed God in their hearts. So did Job all days.

Now on a certain day, when the sons of God came to stand before the Lord, Satan also was present among them.

And the Lord said to him: Whence comest thou? And he answered and said: I have gone round about the earth, and walked through it.

And the Lord said to him: Hast thou considered my servant, Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a simple and upright man, and fearing God, and avoiding evil?

And Satan answering, said: Doth Job fear God in vain?

Hast thou not made a fence for him, and his house, and all his substance round about, blessed the works of his hands, and his possession hath increased on the earth?

But stretch forth thy hand a little, and touch all that he hath, and see if he bless thee not to thy face.

Then the Lord said to Satan: Behold, all that he hath is in thy hand: only put not forth thy hand upon his person. And Satan went forth from the presence of the Lord.

And while he was yet speaking, another came, and said: The fire of God fell from heaven, and striking the sheep and the servants, hath consumed them; and I alone have escaped to tell thee.

And said: Naked came I out of my mother's womb, and naked shall I return thither: the Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away: as it hath pleased the Lord, so is it done: blessed be the name of the Lord.

In all these things Job sinned not by his lips, nor spoke he any foolish thing against God.

And it came to pass, when on a certain day the sons of God came, and stood before the Lord, and Satan came amongst them, and stood in his sight,

That the Lord said to Satan: Whence comest thou? And he answered, and said: I have gone round about the earth, and walked through it.

And the Lord said to Satan: Hast thou considered my servant, Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a man simple and upright, and fearing God, and avoiding evil, and still keeping his innocence? But thou hast moved me against him, that I should afflict him without cause.

And Satan answered, and said: Skin for skin; and all that a man hath, he will give for his life:

But put forth thy hand, and touch his bone and his flesh, and then thou shalt see that he will bless thee to thy face.

And the Lord said to Satan: Behold, he is in thy hand, but yet save his life.

So Satan went forth from the presence of the Lord, and struck Job with a very grievous ulcer, from the sole of the foot even to the top of his head:

And his wife said to him: Dost thou still continue in thy simplicity? bless God and die.