When Job's three friends heard all these tragedies that happened to him, they each traveled from their home towns to visit him. Eliphaz came from Teman, Bildad came from Shuah, and Zophar came from Naamath. They met together and went to console and comfort him.

Won't they instruct you, and tell you, and bring out words from the heart?

He is wise in heart and strong in will who can be stubborn against him and succeed?

But you've hidden these things in your heart I know this was your purpose:

"Now for you, if you will prepare your heart, spread out your hands to him.

"I've heard many things like this. What miserable comforters you all are!

My days are passed; my plans have been shattered; along with my heart's desires.

Accept what he has to teach you, and treasure his words in your heart.

Indeed, these are the fringes of his ways, and how faint is the whisper we've heard of it! But who can comprehend the thunder of his might?"

"When people heard me speak, they blessed me; when people saw me, they approved me,

Haven't I wept for the one who is going through hard times? Haven't I grieved for the needy?

If I have stepped away from the way, or if my heart covets whatever my eyes see, or if some other blemish clings to my hands,

"If my heart has been seduced by a woman and I've laid in wait at my friend's door,

if he hadn't thanked me from the bottom of his heart, if he had not been warmed by wool from my sheep,

so that in the depths of my deceived heart I worshipped them with my mouth and hands,

I speak from the innocence of my heart; and my lips will utter what I sincerely know.

"You spoke clearly so I could hear; I've heard what you've said:

As a result, the cries of the poor have reached him and he has heard the cry of the afflicted.

"Indeed God is mighty and he doesn't show disrespect; he is mighty and strong of heart.

The godless at heart cherish anger; they won't cry out for help when God afflicts them.

"Now I'll conclude with this: my heart is trembling violently; it feels like it's about to leap from my body!

His thunder roars after it; his majestic voice will thunder; and no one can trace them once his voice has been heard.

His heart is as strong as stone, it is as hard as a lower millstone.

I've heard you with my ears; and now I've seen you with my eyes.