and the Sabeans attacked and took them. They also slew the servants with the edge of the sword, and I alone have escaped to tell you.”

While he was still speaking, another also came and said, “The fire of God fell from heaven and burned up the sheep and the servants and consumed them, and I alone have escaped to tell you.”

While he was still speaking, another also came and said, “The Chaldeans formed three bands and made a raid on the camels and took them and slew the servants with the edge of the sword, and I alone have escaped to tell you.”

and behold, a great wind came from across the wilderness and struck the four corners of the house, and it fell on the young people and they died, and I alone have escaped to tell you.”

‘How much more those who dwell in houses of clay,
Whose foundation is in the dust,
Who are crushed before the moth!

“Will they not teach you and tell you,
And bring forth words from their minds?

“I am accounted wicked,
Why then should I toil in vain?

If iniquity is in your hand, put it far away,
And do not let wickedness dwell in your tents;

“But now ask the beasts, and let them teach you;
And the birds of the heavens, and let them tell you.

“I will tell you, listen to me;
And what I have seen I will also declare;

“A mother will forget him;
The worm feeds sweetly till he is no longer remembered.
And wickedness will be broken like a tree.

“Far be it from me that I should declare you right;
Till I die I will not put away my integrity from me.

So that they dwell in dreadful valleys,
In holes of the earth and of the rocks.

So Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite spoke out and said,
“I am young in years and you are old;
Therefore I was shy and afraid to tell you what I think.

“So I say, ‘Listen to me,
I too will tell what I think.’

“I too will answer my share,
I also will tell my opinion.

“Behold, let me tell you, you are not right in this,
For God is greater than man.

“Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth?
Tell Me, if you have understanding,

“Have you understood the expanse of the earth?
Tell Me, if you know all this.

“He bends his tail like a cedar;
The sinews of his thighs are knit together.