Again there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord, and the adversary came also among them to present himself before the Lord.

And it was on the day that the sons of G d came to stand before the L rd, that Satan came also with them to stand before the L rd.

And the Lord said to the adversary, From where dost thou come? And the adversary answered the Lord, and said, From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it.

And the L rd said to Satan: "Where are you coming from?" And Satan answered the L rd and said: "From wandering around the earth and walking within it."

And the Lord said to the adversary, Hast thou considered my servant Iyyov, that there is none like him on earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that fears God and turns away from evil? and still he holds fast to his integrity, although thou didst move me against him, to destroy him without cause.

And the L rd said to Satan: "Have you set your heart against My servant Iyyov, whose like is not found on the earth, a pure and upright man, who fears G d and turns aside from evil, who still persists in his purity, though you have incited Me against him to destroy him for nought?"

And the adversary answered the Lord, and said, Skin covers skin! for all that a man has he will give for his life.

And Satan answered the L rd and said: "Skin for skin [i.e., a lesser limb for a greater], and all that a man possesses will he give for his life" [(and since Iyyov knows that he is liable for his life, he willingly makes the exchange.)]

But put forth thy hand now, and touch his bone and his flesh, and he will curse Thee to Thy face.

But just stretch out Your hand and smite himself and his flesh, [and see] if he will not 'bless' You to Your face."

And the Lord said to the adversary, Behold, he is in thy hand; but save his life.

And the L rd said to Satan: "He is in your hands; just take care to heed his soul" [(that it not leave his body)].

So the adversary went forth from the presence of the Lord, and smote Iyyov with vile sores from the sole of his foot to his crown.

And Satan went forth from the presence of the L rd, and he smote Iyyov with severe boils, from the soles of his feet to his crown.

And he took him a potsherd with which to scrape himself; and he sat down among the ashes.

And he took a shard to scratch himself with, and he sat among the ashes.

Then his wife said to him, Dost thou still retain thy integrity? curse God, and die.

And his wife said to him: "Are you still persisting in your purity? 'Bless' G d and die."

But he said to her, Thou speakest as one of the foolish women speaks. What? shall we receive good at the hand of God, and shall we not receive evil? In all this Iyyov did not sin with his lips.

And he said to her: "You speak as one of the lowly ones. [(Is it not enough that He created us, but)] shall we also receive good from G d and not receive bad?" With all this, Iyyov did not sin with his lips [(but he did sin in his heart)].

Now when Iyyov’s three friends heard of all this evil that was come upon him, they came every one from his own place; Elifaz the Temanite, and Bildad the Shuĥite, and Żofar the Na῾amatite: for they had made an appointment together to come to mourn with him and to comfort him.

And the three friends [i.e., lovers] of Iyyov heard of all this evil that had come upon him, and they came, each from his place: Elifaz the Temanite, Bildad the Shuchite, and Tzofar the Na'amathite. And they gathered together to come to bemoan him and to console him.

And when they lifted up their eyes afar off, and knew him not, they lifted up their voice, and wept; and they rent every one his coat, and sprinkled dust upon their heads toward heaven.

And they lifted their eyes from afar and they did not recognize him [(his features having become transfigured by his afflictions)]. And they lifted their voices and cried. And each of them tore his garment. And they cast dust above their heads, heavenwards [(in mourning)].

And they sat down with him on the ground for seven days and seven nights, and none spoke a word to him: for they saw that his suffering was very great.

And they sat with him upon the ground seven days and seven nights, and no one spoke a word to him, for they saw that he was sorely grieved.