For he adds transgression to his sin; in our midst he claps his hands, and multiplies his words against God.”

Take heed, do not turn to evil, for because of this you have been tested by affliction.

The clouds go round in circles, wheeling about according to his plans, to carry out all that he commands them over the face of the whole inhabited world.

Who set its measurements – if you know – or who stretched a measuring line across it?

On what were its bases set, or who laid its cornerstone –

In what direction is lightning dispersed, or the east winds scattered over the earth?

to cause it to rain on an uninhabited land, a desert where there are no human beings,

It looks on every haughty being; it is king over all that are proud.”

But extend your hand and strike everything he has, and he will no doubt curse you to your face!”

But when they gazed intently from a distance but did not recognize him, they began to weep loudly. Each of them tore his robes, and they threw dust into the air over their heads.

If I have sinned – what have I done to you, O watcher of men? Why have you set me as your target? Have I become a burden to you?

“But now they mock me, those who are younger than I, whose fathers I disdained too much to put with my sheep dogs.

Then Elihu son of Barakel the Buzite, of the family of Ram, became very angry. He was angry with Job for justifying himself rather than God.

So Elihu son of Barakel the Buzite spoke up: “I am young, but you are elderly; that is why I was fearful, and afraid to explain to you what I know.

So they came to him, all his brothers and sisters and all who had known him before, and they dined with him in his house. They comforted him and consoled him for all the trouble the Lord had brought on him, and each one gave him a piece of silver and a gold ring.

So the Lord said to Satan, “Have you considered my servant Job? There is no one like him on the earth, a pure and upright man, one who fears God and turns away from evil.”

While this one was still speaking another messenger arrived and said, “The Chaldeans formed three bands and made a raid on the camels and carried them all away, and they killed the servants with the sword! And I – only I alone – escaped to tell you!”

and suddenly a great wind swept across the wilderness and struck the four corners of the house, and it fell on the young people, and they died! And I – only I alone – escaped to tell you!”

When Job’s three friends heard about all this calamity that had happened to him, each of them came from his own country – Eliphaz the Temanite, Bildad the Shuhite, and Zophar the Naamathite. They met together to come to show sympathy for him and to console him.

So now take seven bulls and seven rams and go to my servant Job and offer a burnt offering for yourselves. And my servant Job will intercede for you, and I will respect him, so that I do not deal with you according to your folly, because you have not spoken about me what is right, as my servant Job has.”