This  forms  the  principal  part  of  the  book.
The  three  friends  argue  on  the  basis  that
affliction  is  always  and  necessarily  a  result
of  sin,  and  as  Job  accepts  this  general  prin
ciple,  but  denies  its  application  to  himself,
misunderstandings  result,  and  the  speakers
are  as  far  from  a  solution  of  the  situation  in
the  end  as  in  the  beginning.  Firstly,  Eli-
phaz  begins  the  argument  by  expressing  in
general  the  sinfulness  of  man  and  hinting
at,  rather  than  boldly  asserting,  Job's  special
sinfulness.  Job  answers,  declaring  his  inno
cence.  Secondly,  Bildad  continues  in  the
same  strain,  insisting  that  the  Lord  cannot
be  unjust,  therefore  man  must  be  at  fault.
