and the Sabeans attacked and made off with them. They put the servants to the sword, and I am the only one who has escaped to tell you!”

While he was still speaking, another messenger came and said, “The fire of God fell from the heavens and burned up the sheep and the servants, and I am the only one who has escaped to tell you!”

While he was still speaking, another messenger came and said, “The Chaldeans formed three raiding parties and swept down on your camels and made off with them. They put the servants to the sword, and I am the only one who has escaped to tell you!”

when suddenly a mighty wind swept in from the desert and struck the four corners of the house. It collapsed on them and they are dead, and I am the only one who has escaped to tell you!”

Then Job took a piece of broken pottery and scraped himself with it as he sat among the ashes.

That night—may thick darkness seize it; may it not be included among the days of the year nor be entered in any of the months.

Amid disquieting dreams in the night, when deep sleep falls on people,

The hungry consume his harvest, taking it even from among thorns, and the thirsty pant after his wealth.

Am I the sea, or the monster of the deep, that you put me under guard?

it entwines its roots around a pile of rocks and looks for a place among the stones.

“Although I am blameless, I have no concern for myself; I despise my own life.

Since I am already found guilty, why should I struggle in vain?

though you know that I am not guilty and that no one can rescue me from your hand?

If I am guilty—woe to me! Even if I am innocent, I cannot lift my head, for I am full of shame and drowned in my affliction.

You say to God, ‘My beliefs are flawless and I am pure in your sight.’

But I have a mind as well as you; I am not inferior to you. Who does not know all these things?

Is not wisdom found among the aged? Does not long life bring understanding?

What you know, I also know; I am not inferior to you.

“But come on, all of you, try again! I will not find a wise man among you.

He tears me down on every side till I am gone; he uproots my hope like a tree.

My breath is offensive to my wife; I am loathsome to my own family.

I am nothing but skin and bones; I have escaped only by the skin of my teeth.

“My troubled thoughts prompt me to answer because I am greatly disturbed.

When I think about this, I am terrified; trembling seizes my body.

That is why I am terrified before him; when I think of all this, I fear him.