1Moreover the LORD answered Job, and said,2Shall he that contendeth with the Almighty instruct him ? he that reproveth God, let him answer it.3Then Job answered the LORD, and said,4Behold, I am vile; what shall I answer thee? I will lay mine hand upon my mouth.5Once have I spoken; but I will not answer: yea, twice; but I will proceed no further.6Then answered the LORD unto Job out of the whirlwind, and said,7Gird up thy loins now like a man: I will demand of thee, and declare thou unto me.8Wilt thou also disannul my judgment? wilt thou condemn me, that thou mayest be righteous?9Hast thou an arm like God? or canst thou thunder with a voice like him?10Deck thyself now with majesty and excellency; and array thyself with glory and beauty.11Cast abroad the rage of thy wrath: and behold every one that is proud, and abase him.12Look on every one that is proud, and bring him low; and tread down the wicked in their place.13Hide them in the dust together; and bind their faces in secret.14Then will I also confess unto thee that thine own right hand can save thee.15Behold now behemoth, which I made with thee; he eateth grass as an ox.16Lo now, his strength is in his loins, and his force is in the navel of his belly.17He moveth his tail like a cedar: the sinews of his stones are wrapped together.18His bones are as strong pieces of brass; his bones are like bars of iron.19He is the chief of the ways of God: he that made him can make his sword to approach unto him .20Surely the mountains bring him forth food, where all the beasts of the field play.21He lieth under the shady trees, in the covert of the reed, and fens.22The shady trees cover him with their shadow; the willows of the brook compass him about.23Behold, he drinketh up a river, and hasteth not: he trusteth that he can draw up Jordan into his mouth.24He taketh it with his eyes: his nose pierceth through snares.
Job 40
English Standard Version
1And the Lord said to Job: (Job 38:1)2“Shall a faultfinder contend with the Almighty? He who argues with God, let him answer it.” (Job 33:13)
Job Promises Silence
3Then Job answered the Lord and said:4“Behold, I am of small account; what shall I answer you? I lay my hand on my mouth. (Jud 18:19; Ezr 9:6; Job 21:5; Job 29:9; Job 42:6)5I have spoken once, and I will not answer; twice, but I will proceed no further.” (Job 33:14; Ps 62:11)
The Lord Challenges Job
6Then the Lord answered Job out of the whirlwind and said: (Job 38:1)7“Dress for action[1] like a man; I will question you, and you make it known to me. (Job 38:3; Job 42:4)8Will you even put me in the wrong? Will you condemn me that you may be in the right? (Job 32:2)9Have you an arm like God, and can you thunder with a voice like his? (Job 37:4; Ps 89:13; Isa 63:12)10“Adorn yourself with majesty and dignity; clothe yourself with glory and splendor. (Ps 93:1; Ps 104:1)11Pour out the overflowings of your anger, and look on everyone who is proud and abase him. (Isa 2:11; Da 4:37)12Look on everyone who is proud and bring him low and tread down the wicked where they stand. (Job 36:20; Isa 63:3)13Hide them all in the dust together; bind their faces in the world below.[2] (Job 21:26; Isa 2:10)14Then will I also acknowledge to you that your own right hand can save you. (Ps 98:1; Isa 59:16; Isa 63:5)15“Behold, Behemoth,[3] which I made as I made you; he eats grass like an ox. (Nu 22:4)16Behold, his strength in his loins, and his power in the muscles of his belly.17He makes his tail stiff like a cedar; the sinews of his thighs are knit together.18His bones are tubes of bronze, his limbs like bars of iron.19“He is the first of the works[4] of God; let him who made him bring near his sword! (Job 26:14; Pr 8:22)20For the mountains yield food for him where all the wild beasts play.21Under the lotus plants he lies, in the shelter of the reeds and in the marsh. (Ps 68:30)22For his shade the lotus trees cover him; the willows of the brook surround him.23Behold, if the river is turbulent he is not frightened; he is confident though Jordan rushes against his mouth.24Can one take him by his eyes,[5] or pierce his nose with a snare?