David Counts the Fighting Men^(A)

21 Satan^(B) rose up against Israel and incited David to take a census^(C) of Israel.

⁶ One day the angels^[a](A) came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan^[b](B) also came with them.^{(C) 7} The Lord said to Satan, “Where have you come from?”

Satan answered the Lord, “From roaming throughout the earth, going back and forth on it.”^(D)

⁸ Then the Lord said to Satan, “Have you considered my servant Job?^(E) There is no one on earth like him; he is blameless and upright, a man who fears God^(F) and shuns evil.”^(G)

⁹ “Does Job fear God for nothing?”^(H) Satan replied. ¹⁰ “Have you not put a hedge^(I) around him and his household and everything he has?^(J) You have blessed the work of his hands, so that his flocks and herds are spread throughout the land.^{(K) 11} But now stretch out your hand and strike everything he has,^(L) and he will surely curse you to your face.”^(M)

¹² The Lord said to Satan, “Very well, then, everything he has^(N) is in your power, but on the man himself do not lay a finger.”^(O)

Then Satan went out from the presence of the Lord.

¹⁰ Then I heard a loud voice in heaven^(A) say: