³ and he owned seven thousand sheep, three thousand camels, five hundred yoke of oxen and five hundred donkeys,^(A) and had a large number of servants.^(B) He was the greatest man^(C) among all the people of the East.^(D)

¹³ One day when Job’s sons and daughters^(A) were feasting^(B) and drinking wine at the oldest brother’s house, ¹⁴ a messenger came to Job and said, “The oxen were plowing and the donkeys were grazing^(C) nearby, ¹⁵ and the Sabeans^(D) 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!”

¹⁶ While he was still speaking, another messenger came and said, “The fire of God fell from the heavens^(E) and burned up the sheep and the servants,^(F) and I am the only one who has escaped to tell you!”

¹⁷ While he was still speaking, another messenger came and said, “The Chaldeans^(G) 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!”

¹⁸ While he was still speaking, yet another messenger came and said, “Your sons and daughters^(H) were feasting^(I) and drinking wine at the oldest brother’s house, ¹⁹ when suddenly a mighty wind^(J) swept in from the desert and struck the four corners of the house. It collapsed on them and they are dead,^(K) and I am the only one who has escaped to tell you!^(L)”