1 T hen the Lord said to Job,

Then 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.”

“Will the faultfinder contend with the Almighty? Let him who reproves God answer it.”

3 J ob answered the Lord and said,

Then Job answered the Lord and said,

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

“Behold, I am insignificant; what can I reply to You? I lay my hand on my mouth.

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

“Once I have spoken, and I will not answer; Even twice, and I will add nothing more.” God Questions Job

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

Then the Lord answered Job out of the storm and said,

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

“Now gird up your loins like a man; I will ask you, and you instruct 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 really annul My judgment? Will you condemn Me that you may be justified?

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

“Or do you have an arm like God, And can you thunder with a voice like His?

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

“ Adorn yourself with eminence and dignity, And clothe 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 out the overflowings of your anger, And look on everyone who is proud, and make him low.

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 humble him, 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 in the dust together; Bind them in the hidden place.

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

“Then I will also confess to you, That your own right hand can save you. God’s Power Shown in Creatures

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

“Behold now, Behemoth, which I made as well as you; He eats grass like an ox.

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

“Behold now, his strength in his loins And his power in the muscles of his belly.

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

“He bends his tail like a cedar; The sinews of his thighs are knit together.

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

“His bones are 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.

“He is the first of the ways of God; Let his maker bring near his sword.

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

“Surely the mountains bring him food, And all the beasts of the field play there.

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

“Under the lotus plants he lies down, In the covert of the reeds and the marsh.

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

“The lotus plants cover him with shade; The willows of the brook surround him.

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

“If a river rages, he is not alarmed; He is confident, though the Jordan rushes to his mouth.

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

“Can anyone capture him when he is on watch, With barbs can anyone pierce his nose?