David’s Military Census

21 Satan^[a](A) stood up against Israel and incited David^(B) to count the people of Israel.

Satan’s First Test of Job

⁶ One day the sons of God^(A) came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan^[a] also came with them. ⁷ The Lord asked Satan, “Where have you come from?”

“From roaming through the earth,”^(B) Satan answered Him, “and walking around on it.”

⁸ Then the Lord said to Satan, “Have you considered My servant Job? No one else on earth is like him, a man of perfect integrity, who fears God and turns away from evil.”

⁹ Satan answered the Lord, “Does Job fear God for nothing? ¹⁰ Haven’t You placed a hedge around^(C) him, his household, and everything he owns? You have blessed the work of his hands, and his possessions have increased in the land. ¹¹ But stretch out Your hand and strike^(D) everything he owns, and he will surely curse You to Your face.”

¹² “Very well,” the Lord told Satan, “everything he owns is in your power. However, you must not lay a hand on Job himself.” So Satan left the Lord’s presence.

¹⁰ Then I heard a loud voice in heaven say: