Job

1Moreover the LORD answered Job,

2“Shall he who argues contend with the Almighty?He who argues with God, let him answer it.”

3Then Job answered the LORD,

4“Behold, I am of small account. What will I answer you?I lay my hand on my mouth.

5I have spoken once, and I will not answer;Yes, twice, but I will proceed no further.”

6Then the LORD answered Job out of the whirlwind:

7“Now brace yourself like a man.I will question you, and you will answer me.

8Will you even annul my judgment?Will you condemn me, that you may be justified?

9Or do you have an arm like God?Can you thunder with a voice like him?

10“Now deck yourself with excellency and dignity.Array yourself with honor and majesty.

11Pour out the fury of your anger.Look at everyone who is proud, and bring him low.

12Look at everyone who is proud, and humble him.Crush the wicked in their place.

13Hide them in the dust together.Bind their faces in the hidden place.

14Then I will also admit to youthat your own right hand can save you.

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

16Look now, his strength is in his thighs.His force is in the muscles of his belly.

17He moves his tail like a cedar.The sinews of his thighs are knit together.

18His bones are like tubes of bronze.His limbs are like bars of iron.

19He is the chief of the ways of God.He who made him gives him his sword.

20Surely the mountains produce food for him,where all the animals of the field play.

21He lies under the lotus trees,in the covert of the reed, and the marsh.

22The lotuses cover him with their shade.The willows of the brook surround him.

23Behold, if a river overflows, he doesn’t tremble.He is confident, though the Jordan swells even to his mouth.

24Shall any take him when he is on the watch,or pierce through his nose with a snare?

Job Humbles Himself before the LORD

1And the LORD said to Job:

2“Will the faultfinder contend with the Almighty?Let him who argues with God give an answer.”

3Then Job answered the LORD:

4“Behold, I am insignificant. How can I reply to You?I place my hand over my mouth.

5I have spoken once, but I have no answer—twice, but I have nothing to add.”

The LORD Challenges Job Again

6Then the LORD answered Job out of the whirlwind and said:

7“Now brace yourselflike a man;I will question you, and you shall inform Me.

8Would you really annul My justice?Would you condemn Me to justify yourself?

9Do you have an arm like God’s?Can you thunder with a voice like His?

10Then adorn yourself with majesty and splendor,and clothe yourself with honor and glory.

11Unleash the fury of your wrath;look on every proud man and bring him low.

12Look on every proud man and humble him;trample the wicked where they stand.

13Bury them together in the dust;imprison them in the grave.

14Then I will confess to youthat your own right hand can save you.

15Look at Behemoth, which I made along with you.He feeds on grass like an ox.

16See the strength of his loinsand the power in the muscles of his belly.

17His tail sways like a cedar;the sinews of his thighs are tightly knit.

18His bones are tubes of bronze;his limbs are rods of iron.

19He is the foremost of God’s works;only his Maker can draw the sword against him.

20The hills yield him their produce,while all the beasts of the field play nearby.

21He lies under the lotus plants,hidden among the reeds of the marsh.

22The lotus plants conceal him in their shade;the willowsof the brook surround him.

23Though the river rages, Behemoth is unafraid;he remains secure, though the Jordan surges to his mouth.

24Can anyone capture him as he looks on,or pierce his nose with a snare?