How we cite our quotes: (Chapter:Verse)
Quote #1
Then Satan answered the Lord, 'Does Job fear God for nothing? Have you not put a fence around him and his house and all that he has, on every side? You have blessed the work of his hands, and his possessions have increased in the land.' (NRSV 1:10)
Then Satan answered the Lord and said, Doth Job fear God for nought? Hast not thou made an hedge about him, and about his house, and about all that he hath on every side? thou hast blessed the work of his hands, and his substance is increased in the land. (KJV 1:9-10)
Well of course Job is a stand-up guy. He has everything he could ever want. Satan's pretty sure that Job's loyalty is dependent on God' favors. Take that fence and house—and hey, his entire family, while you're at it—and maybe he wouldn't be so loyal.
This is already starting to look like the cynical Satan we know in modern culture, assuming that humans respond only to material motivations.
Quote #2
But he said to her, 'You speak as any foolish woman would speak. Shall we receive the good at the hand of God, and not receive the bad?' In all this Job did not sin with his lips. (NRSV 2:10)
But he said unto her, Thou speakest as one of the foolish women speaketh. What? shall we receive good at the hand of God, and shall we not receive evil? In all this did not Job sin with his lips. (KJV 2:10)
First, let's just get this one out of the way: Job called his wife a foolish woman. We all heard it. We urge you to think about what this means for Job's personal life, but here we're focused on the whole loyalty-to-God issue, so let's get down to it.
Why didn't the author just say "In all this Job did not sin"? Why the added "with his lips"? Well, thoughtful readers, it probably implies that Job was sinning—just not out loud. There's a big difference between thinking something and saying it, right? Either way, we're pretty sure this is where doubt first starts to sneak into Job's mind.
Quote #3
'How happy is the one whom God reproves;
therefore do not despise the discipline of the Almighty.' (NRSV 5:17)Behold, happy is the man whom God correcteth: therefore despise not thou the chastening of the Almighty: (KJV 5:17)
Tough love is the name of the game. If God disciplines you, at least it means he's there, right? Don't forget: your average Israelite would have expected evidence for God. These writers answered that call by saying, "You want evidence? Well, here he is, punishing the best of the best."