and the Sabeans attacked and swooped down on them and took away the animals. They also killed the servants with the edge of the sword, and I alone have escaped to tell you.”

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

“My face is red and swollen with weeping,
And on my eyelids is the shadow of death [my eyes are dimmed],

“His young ones suck up blood;
And where the slain are, there is he.”