The way Zophar begins his speech makes Bildad’s seem mild and polite by comparison (8:2). How is it possible that the person who speaks the most is considered innocent? (2). Contrary to 11:4, Job has not tried to teach anyone anything; he just wanted to voice his confusion and grief before his friends’ deaf ears. By criticizing Job for being so confident without respecting the mystery of wisdom (7-17), Zophar reveals his own false confidence and ignorance of his own limits in wisdom. His advice can be summarized as: forget those extreme ideas, pray, and change your ways (13f). If Job does this, based on his friend’s idea of retribution, he will live a prosperous life and finally find peace. He will also regain his honor, and his virtues will be recognized; many will seek his intercession (19b). The irony is that, in the end (42:8f), it will be his friends who will be begging Job for help.