Then the Lord asked Satan, “Have you noticed my servant Job? He is the finest man in all the earth. He is blameless—a man of complete integrity. He fears God and stays away from evil. And he has maintained his integrity, even though you urged me to harm him without cause.”

So Satan left the Lord’s presence, and he struck Job with terrible boils from head to foot.

Job scraped his skin with a piece of broken pottery as he sat among the ashes.

But Job replied, “You talk like a foolish woman. Should we accept only good things from the hand of God and never anything bad?” So in all this, Job said nothing wrong.

Job’s Three Friends Share His Anguish

When three of Job’s friends heard of the tragedy he had suffered, they got together and traveled from their homes to comfort and console him. Their names were Eliphaz the Temanite, Bildad the Shuhite, and Zophar the Naamathite.

When they saw Job from a distance, they scarcely recognized him. Wailing loudly, they tore their robes and threw dust into the air over their heads to show their grief.

Then they sat on the ground with him for seven days and nights. No one said a word to Job, for they saw that his suffering was too great for words.

Job’s First Speech

At last Job spoke, and he cursed the day of his birth.

Eliphaz’s First Response to Job

Then Eliphaz the Temanite replied to Job:

Job’s Second Speech: A Response to Eliphaz

Then Job spoke again:

Job Cries Out to God

“My days fly faster than a weaver’s shuttle. They end without hope.

Bildad’s First Response to Job

Then Bildad the Shuhite replied to Job:

Job’s Third Speech: A Response to Bildad

Then Job spoke again:

Job Frames His Plea to God

“I am disgusted with my life. Let me complain freely. My bitter soul must complain.

Zophar’s First Response to Job

Then Zophar the Naamathite replied to Job:

Job’s Fourth Speech: A Response to Zophar

Then Job spoke again:

Job Wants to Argue His Case with God

“Look, I have seen all this with my own eyes and heard it with my own ears, and now I understand.

Job Asks How He Has Sinned

“O God, grant me these two things, and then I will be able to face you.

Eliphaz’s Second Response to Job

Then Eliphaz the Temanite replied:

Job’s Fifth Speech: A Response to Eliphaz

Then Job spoke again:

Job Continues to Defend His Innocence

“My spirit is crushed, and my life is nearly snuffed out. The grave is ready to receive me.

Bildad’s Second Response to Job

Then Bildad the Shuhite replied:

Job’s Sixth Speech: A Response to Bildad

Then Job spoke again:

Zophar’s Second Response to Job

Then Zophar the Naamathite replied:

Job’s Seventh Speech: A Response to Zophar

Then Job spoke again: