1 T hen the Lord said to Job,

Moreover the Lord answered Job, and said:

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

“Shall the one who contends with the Almighty correct Him? He who rebukes God, let him answer it.” Job’s Response to God

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 vile; What shall I answer You? I lay my hand over my mouth.

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

Once I have spoken, but I will not answer; Yes, twice, but I will proceed no further.” God’s Challenge to Job

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

Then the Lord answered Job out of the whirlwind, and said:

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

“Now prepare yourself like a man; I will question you, and you shall 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?

“Would you indeed annul My judgment? Would 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?

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.

Then adorn yourself with majesty and splendor, And array yourself with glory and beauty.

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

Disperse the rage of your wrath; Look on everyone who is proud, and humble 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; Tread down the wicked in their place.

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

Hide them in the dust together, Bind their faces in hidden darkness.

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.

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

“Look now at the behemoth, which I made along with 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 hips, And his power is in his stomach muscles.

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

He moves his tail like a cedar; The sinews of his thighs are tightly knit.

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

His bones are like beams of bronze, His ribs 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; Only He who made him can 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 yield food for him, And all the beasts of the field play there.

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

He lies under the lotus trees, In a covert of reeds and 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 by 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.

Indeed the river may rage, Yet he is not disturbed; He is confident, though the Jordan gushes into his mouth,

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

Though he takes it in his eyes, Or one pierces his nose with a snare.