First Cycle of Dispute: Job's Friends vs. Job

Job's friends not only believe THAT God ultimately ordained this pain in Job's life (which is true), but also believe they know WHY God ordained this pain in Job's life (which is false). They operate on an airtight rule that the wicked suffer and the righteous are rewarded. Since Job is suffering, he must be hiding wickedness. . . . Job's friends compliment themselves by criticizing Job. ("We are not suffering, therefore we are righteous.")