1 T hen the Lord said to Job,

Moreover, the Lord said to Job,

2 “ Will one who finds fault not agree with the All-powerful? He who speaks strong words against God, let him answer.”

Shall he who would find fault with the Almighty contend with Him? He who disputes with God, let him answer it.

3 J ob answered the Lord and said,

Then Job replied to the Lord:

4 “ See, I am not important. What can I answer You? I put my hand on my mouth.

Behold, I am of small account and vile! What shall I answer You? I lay my hand upon my mouth.

5 I have spoken once, and I cannot answer; even twice, and I have no more to say.”

I have spoken once, but I will not reply again—indeed, twice, but I will proceed no further.

6 T hen the Lord answered out of the storm, and said,

Then the Lord answered Job out of the whirlwind, saying,

7 “ Get ready like a man. I will ask you, and you answer Me.

Gird up your loins now like a man; I will demand of you, and you answer Me.

8 W ill you say what I decide is wrong? Will you say that I have done wrong, that you may be made right?

Will you also annul (set aside and render void) My judgment? Will you condemn Me, that you may righteous and justified?

9 D o you have an arm like God? Can you thunder with a voice like His?

Have you an arm like God? Or can you thunder with a voice like His?

10 “ Dress yourself with shining-greatness and great power. Cover yourself with honor and greatness.

deck yourself now with the excellency and dignity, and array yourself with honor and majesty.

11 P our out your anger that is flowing over. Look on everyone who is proud, and put him to shame.

Pour forth the overflowings of your anger, and look on everyone who is proud and abase him;

12 L ook on everyone who is proud, and bring him down. Crush the sinful where they stand.

Look on everyone who is proud and bring him low, and tread down the wicked where they stand.

13 H ide them all in the dust together. Shut them up in the hidden place.

hide them all in the dust together; shut them up.

14 T hen I will also tell you that your own right hand can save you.

then will I praise you also your own right hand can save you.

15 “ See now the hippopotamus, which I made as well as you. He eats grass like an ox.

Behold now the behemoth (the hippopotamus), which I created as I did you; he eats grass like an ox.

16 S ee, his strength is in his body. His power is in his stomach.

See now, his strength is in his loins, and his power is in the sinews of his belly.

17 H e moves his tail like a cedar tree. His legs are made very strong.

He moves his tail like a cedar tree; the tendons of his thighs are twisted together.

18 H is bones are like brass. His legs are like pieces of iron.

His bones are like tubes of bronze; his limbs are like bars of iron.

19 “ He is the first of the works of God. Let his maker bring him his sword.

is the first of the works of God; He Who made him provides him with his.

20 F or sure the mountains bring food to him where all the animals of the field play.

Surely the mountains bring him food, where all the wild animals play.

21 H e lies down under the lotus plants, hidden in the high river grass.

He lies under the lotus trees, in the covert of the reeds in the marsh.

22 H e lies in the shadow of the lotus plants, with the willow trees of the river around him.

The lotus trees cover him with their shade; the willows of the brook compass him about.

23 I f a river flows over, he is not afraid. He is sure of himself even if the Jordan rushes against his mouth.

Behold, if a river is violent and overflows, he does not tremble; he is confident, though the Jordan swells and rushes against his mouth.

24 C an anyone take him when he is watching? Can anyone catch him and put a ring in his nose?

Can any take him when he is on the watch, or pierce through his nose with a snare?