When a period of feasting had run its course, Job would make arrangements for them to be purified. Early in the morning he would sacrifice a burnt offering for each of them, thinking, “Perhaps my children have sinned and cursed God in their hearts.” This was Job’s regular custom.

When Job’s three friends, Eliphaz the Temanite, Bildad the Shuhite and Zophar the Naamathite, heard about all the troubles that had come upon him, they set out from their homes and met together by agreement to go and sympathize with him and comfort him.

May that night be barren; may no shout of joy be heard in it.

Captives also enjoy their ease; they no longer hear the slave driver’s shout.

It stopped, but I could not tell what it was. A form stood before my eyes, and I heard a hushed voice:

“We have examined this, and it is true. So hear it and apply it to yourself.”

Even if I summoned him and he responded, I do not believe he would give me a hearing.

“But this is what you concealed in your heart, and I know that this was in your mind:

“Yet if you devote your heart to him and stretch out your hands to him,

“My eyes have seen all this, my ears have heard and understood it.

Hear now my argument; listen to the pleas of my lips.

Why has your heart carried you away, and why do your eyes flash,

“I have heard many things like these; you are miserable comforters, all of you!

My days have passed, my plans are shattered. Yet the desires of my heart

I myself will see him with my own eyes—I, and not another. How my heart yearns within me!

I hear a rebuke that dishonors me, and my understanding inspires me to reply.

Accept instruction from his mouth and lay up his words in your heart.

You will pray to him, and he will hear you, and you will fulfill your vows.

God has made my heart faint; the Almighty has terrified me.

And these are but the outer fringe of his works; how faint the whisper we hear of him! Who then can understand the thunder of his power?”

Whoever heard me spoke well of me, and those who saw me commended me,

The one who was dying blessed me; I made the widow’s heart sing.

if my steps have turned from the path, if my heart has been led by my eyes, or if my hands have been defiled,

“If my heart has been enticed by a woman, or if I have lurked at my neighbor’s door,

and their hearts did not bless me for warming them with the fleece from my sheep,