Job 1:13–22

Job’s First Crisis

¹³One day when Job’s sons and daughters were eating and drinking wine in their oldest brother’s home, ¹⁴a messenger came to Job. He said, “While the oxen were plowing and the donkeys were grazing nearby, ¹⁵men from Sheba attacked. They took the livestock and massacred the servants. I’m the only one who has escaped to tell you.” 

¹⁶While he was still speaking, another ⸤messenger⸥ came and said, “A fire from God fell from heaven and completely burned your flocks and servants. I’m the only one who has escaped to tell you.” 

¹⁷While he was still speaking, another ⸤messenger⸥ came and said, “The Chaldeans formed three companies and made a raid on the camels. They took the camels and massacred the servants. I’m the only one who has escaped to tell you.” 

¹⁸While he was still speaking, another ⸤messenger⸥ came and said, “Your sons and your daughters were eating and drinking wine at their oldest brother’s home ¹⁹when suddenly a great storm swept across the desert and struck the four corners of the house. It fell on the young people, and they died. I’m the only one who has escaped to tell you.” 

²⁰Job stood up, tore his robe ⸤in grief⸥, and shaved his head. Then he fell to the ground and worshiped. ²¹He said, 

“Naked I came from my mother, 

and naked I will return. 

The Lord has given, 

and the Lord has taken away! 

May the name of the Lord be praised.” 

²²Through all this Job did not sin or blame God for doing anything wrong.