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20 all his substance round about, he should soon forsake thee. Thou hast blessed the work of his hands, and his possession is increased much in the earth, but stretch out thy hand a little, and touch all that he hath in possession, and he shall soon grudge and not bless thee.' Then said our Lord to Satan: 'Lo! all that which he owneth and hath in possession, I will it be in thy hand and power, but on his person ne body set not thy hand.' Satan departed and went from the face of our Lord.

On a day as his sons and daughters ate, and drank wine, in the house of the oldest brother, there came a messenger to Job which said: 'The oxen eared in the plough and the ass pastured in the pasture by them, and the men of Sabea ran on them, and smote thy servants, and slew them with sword, and I only escaped for to come and to show it to thee.' And whiles he spake came another and said: 'The fire of God fell down from heaven and hath burnt thy sheep and servants and consumed them, and I only escaped for to come and show it to thee.' And yet whiles he spake came another and said: 'The Chaldees made three hosts and have enveigled thy camels and taken them, and have slain thy servants with sword, and I only escaped for to bring thee word.' And yet he speaking another entered in and said: 'Thy sons and daughters drinking wine in the house of thy first begotten son, suddenly came a vehement wind from the region of desert and smote the four corners of the house, which falling oppressed thy children, and they be all dead, and I only fled for to tell it to thee.' Then Job arose, and cut his coat,