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.”

While he was still speaking, another also came and said, “Your sons and your daughters were eating and drinking wine in their oldest brother’s house,

And he took a potsherd to scrape himself while he was sitting among the ashes.

“While it is still green and not cut down,
Yet it withers before any other plant.

While I am decaying like a rotten thing,
Like a garment that is moth-eaten.

“Sounds of terror are in his ears;
While at peace the destroyer comes upon him.

“When he fills his belly,
God will send His fierce anger on him
And will rain it on him while he is eating.

While another dies with a bitter soul,
Never even tasting anything good.

“While he is carried to the grave,
Men will keep watch over his tomb.

“The clods of the valley will gently cover him;
Moreover, all men will follow after him,
While countless ones go before him.

“They are exalted a little while, then they are gone;
Moreover, they are brought low and like everything gathered up;
Even like the heads of grain they are cut off.

“Behold, I waited for your words,
I listened to your reasonings,
While you pondered what to say.

“In a dream, a vision of the night,
When sound sleep falls on men,
While they slumber in their beds,