So I did go back and do Chapter 1. It wasn’t nearly as “fun” as the poetry, but I was able to compare how putting this togther having already studying it in detail compares to putting chapter 3 together was. I really like the process of doing the poetry before studying it, but studing chapter one before doing this seemed much better. I’m hoping Chapter 2 goes pretty fast and that I can get back to the poetry before the next holiday. Once I get back to the poetry, I think I’ll use most days to amalgamate, and haphazardly go over what I learned studying these first two chapters (Eventually covering why I picked some of the words or phrases that might seem different from the average translation).
Job Chapter 1
1 At one time, there was a man living in the land of Uz whose name was Job. This man was blameless and upright, He revered God, and turned away from evil. 2 Seven sons were born to him, and three daughters. 3 His property was seven thousand sheep, three thousand camels, five hundred yoke of oxen, five hundred female donkeys, and a great abundance of slaves. He was wealthier than all the people of the East. 4 Each year his sons would go and hold a feast, each in his own home on his set day, inviting their three sisters to eat and drink with them. 5 When the days of the feasting had run their course, Job would send word and sanctify his children, Rising early in the morning, he made wholly burnt sacrificial offerings, one for each of the children, for Job thought:
Perhaps my children have sinned by blaspheming God in their thoughts.
This is what Job always did.
6 One particular day, the heavenly court came into the presence of Yahweh, and the Accuser also came among them. 7 Yahweh said to the Accuser:
Where are you coming from?
The Accuser answered Yahweh saying:
From roaming the earth, and walking about in it.
8 Yahweh said to the Accuser:
Have you noticed my servant Job? There is no one like him on earth, a man blameless and upright, who reveres God, and turn’s away from evil.
9 The Accuser answered Yahweh saying:
Does Job revere God for no reason?
10 Have you not made a hedge around him, around his household, around all that he has, on every side?
Have you not blessed the work of his hands so that his property spreads out all over the land?
11 And yet, reach out your hand and strike all his property, will he not blaspheme You to Your Face?
12 Yahweh replied to the Accuser:
Behold, all his property is in your power, only do not reach out your hand against the man himself.
Then the Accuser went forth from the presence of Yahweh.
13 When the next day came that his sons and daughters were feasting and drinking wine in the house of the firstborn brother, 14 a messenger came to Job and said:
The oxen were plowing, and the donkeys were grazing nearby,
15 when Sabeans fell upon them and took them away,
the slaves they struck down with the edge of the sword.
I alone escaped death to tell you.
16 While this one was still speaking another messenger came and said:
The fire of God fell from heaven, burned up the sheep,
and consumed the slaves.
I alone escaped death to tell you.
17 While this one was still speaking another messenger came and said:
Chaldeans formed three raiding parties and swept down on your camels and took them away,
the slaves they struck down with the edge of the sword.
I alone escaped death to tell you.
18 While this one was still speaking another messenger came and said:
Your sons and daughters were feasting and drinking wine in the house of the firstborn brother,
19 when suddenly a mighty wind swept in from across the wilderness striking the four corners of the house.
It collapsed upon the young people, and they died.
I alone escaped death to tell you.
20 At this job arose, rent his robe, cutoff his hair, threw himself upon the earth, and lay there prostrate
21 saying:
Naked I came out of my mother’s womb,
Naked I shall depart,
Yahweh gives, Yahweh takes away,
Blessed be the name of Yahweh.
22 Yet in all this, Job did not sin by charging God with wrong doing.