Job's Three Friends

Now when Job's three friends heard of all this evil that had come upon him, they came each from his own place, Eliphaz the Temanite, Bildad the Shuhite, and Zophar the Naamathite. They made an appointment together to come to show him sympathy and comfort him.

“He who withholds kindness from a friend forsakes the fear of the Almighty.

You would even cast lots over the fatherless, and bargain over your friend.

I am a laughingstock to my friends; I, who called to God and he answered me, a just and blameless man, am a laughingstock.

My friends scorn me; my eye pours out tears to God,

He who informs against his friends to get a share of their property— the eyes of his children will fail.

My relatives have failed me, my close friends have forgotten me.

All my intimate friends abhor me, and those whom I loved have turned against me.

Have mercy on me, have mercy on me, O you my friends, for the hand of God has touched me!

For deep darkness is morning to all of them; for they are friends with the terrors of deep darkness.

as I was in my prime, when the friendship of God was upon my tent,

Elihu Rebukes Job's Three Friends

So these three men ceased to answer Job, because he was righteous in his own eyes.

He burned with anger also at Job's three friends because they had found no answer, although they had declared Job to be in the wrong.

I will answer you and your friends with you.

The Lord Rebukes Job's Friends

After the Lord had spoken these words to Job, the Lord said to Eliphaz the Temanite: “My anger burns against you and against your two friends, for you have not spoken of me what is right, as my servant Job has.

The Lord Restores Job's Fortunes

And the Lord restored the fortunes of Job, when he had prayed for his friends. And the Lord gave Job twice as much as he had before.