Job 1:13-22

New Catholic Bible

¹³ Messengers of Woe.^[a] One day when Job’s sons and daughters were feasting and drinking wine in their eldest brother’s house, ¹⁴ a messenger came to Job and said, “While your oxen were plowing and the donkeys were grazing beside them, ¹⁵ the Sabeans^[b] swooped down on them and carried them off, after first putting the herdsmen to the sword. I alone have escaped to tell you.”

¹⁶ While he was speaking, another messenger arrived and said, “The fire of God^[c] flashed from heaven, striking the sheep and their shepherds and consuming them. I alone have escaped to tell you.”

¹⁷ While he was still speaking, another messenger ran up and said, “Three bands of Chaldeans^[d] made a raid on the camels and carried them off and slaughtered those who were tending them. I alone have escaped to tell you.”

¹⁸ While he was still speaking, yet another messenger came forth and said, “Your sons and daughters were feasting and drinking wine in their eldest brother’s house. ¹⁹ Then suddenly a powerful wind swept across the desert. It struck the four corners of the house, which collapsed upon the young people, and they are all dead. I alone have escaped to tell you.”

²⁰ Then Job arose, tore his cloak, and shaved his head. He threw himself prostrate on the ground ²¹ and said:

²² In all this, Job did not sin, nor did he revile God.