day, as Job's sons and daughters were eating and drinking in the
oldest brother's house, a messenger came to Job and said, "The oxen were
ploughing and the asses were grazing near them when Sabeans suddenly
attacked and seized them; the servants were put to the sword, and I
alone have escaped to tell you."

While he was still speaking, another messenger came and said, "Lightning
has fallen from heaven and has completely burned up the sheep and the
servants, and I alone have escaped to tell you."

While this man was still speaking, another messenger came and said, "The
Chaldeans, attacking in three bands, raided the camels and drove them
away; the servants were put to the sword, and I alone have escaped to
tell you."

While this one was still speaking, another messenger came and said,
"Your sons and daughters were eating and drinking in their oldest
brother's house when a great wind came from across the wilderness,
struck the four corners of the house, and it fell upon the young men and
killed them. I alone have escaped to tell you."

Then Job rose, tore his robe, shaved his head, threw himself on the
ground and worshipped, saying:

"Jehovah gave, Jehovah has taken away;
Blessed be the name of Jehovah!"

In all this Job did not sin nor blame God.

On another day when the sons of God came before Jehovah, Satan came with
them. And Jehovah said to Satan, "From where do you come?"

Satan answered, "From going back and forth on the earth, and from
walking up and down on it." Jehovah said to Satan, "Have you seen my
servant Job? For there is no man like him on the earth, blameless and
upright, one who reveres God and avoids evil; he still is faithful,
although you led me to ruin him without cause." Satan answered Jehovah,
"Skin for skin, yes, a man will give all that he has for his life. But
just put out your hand now, and touch his bone and his flesh; he
certainly will curse you to your face." Jehovah said to Satan, "See, he
is in your power; only spare his life."

So Satan left the presence of Jehovah, and afflicted Job from the sole
of his foot to the crown of his head with leprosy so terrible that Job
took a piece of broken pottery with which to scrape himself.

As he sat among the ashes, his wife said to him, "Are you still holding
to your piety? Curse God and die." But he said to her, "You speak like a
senseless woman. We accept prosperity from God, shall we not also accept
misfortune?" In al