Job 40

1 And the LORD said to Job:

Moreover, the LORD answered Job, and said,

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

Shall he that contendeth with the Almighty instruct [him]? he that reproveth God, let him answer it.

3 Then Job answered the LORD:

Then Job answered the LORD, and said,

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

Behold, I am vile; what shall I answer thee? I will lay my hand upon my mouth.

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

Once have I spoken; but I will not answer: yes, twice; but I will proceed no further.

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

Then the LORD answered Job out of the whirlwind, and said,

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

Gird up thy loins now like a man: I will demand of thee, and declare thou to me.

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

Wilt thou also disannul my judgment? wilt thou condemn me, that thou mayest be righteous?

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

Hast thou an arm like God? or canst thou thunder with a voice like his?

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

Deck thyself now [with] majesty and excellence; and array thyself with glory and beauty.

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

Cast abroad the rage of thy wrath: and behold every one [that is] proud, and abase him.

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

Look on every one [that is] proud, [and] bring him low; and tread down the wicked in their place.

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

Hide them in the dust together; bind their faces in secret.

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

Then will I also confess to thee that thy own right hand can save thee.

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

Behold now behemoth, which I made with thee; he eateth grass as an ox.

16 See the strength of his loins and the power in the muscles of his belly.

Lo now, his strength [is] in his loins, and his force [is] in the navel of his belly.

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

He moveth his tail like a cedar: the sinews of his male organs are wrapped together.

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

His bones [are as] strong pieces of brass; his bones [are] like bars of iron.

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

He [is] the chief of the ways of God: he that made him can make his sword to approach [him].

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

Surely the mountains bring him forth food, where all the beasts of the field play.

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

He lieth under the shady trees, in the covert of the reed, and fens.

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

The shady trees cover him [with] their shadow; the willows of the brook encompass him.

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

Behold, he drinketh up a river, [and] hasteth not: he trusteth that he can draw up Jordan into his mouth.

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

He taketh it with his eyes: [his] nose pierceth through snares.