1 From out of a storm,

the Lord said to Job:

2 Why do you talk so much

when you know so little?

3 Now get ready to face me!

Can you answer

the questions I ask?

4 How did I lay the foundation

for the earth?

Were you there?

5 Doubtless you know who decided

its length and width.

6 What supports the foundation?

Who placed the cornerstone,

7 * while morning stars sang,

and angels rejoiced?

8 * When the ocean was born,

I set its boundaries

9 and wrapped it in blankets

of thickest fog.

10 Then I built a wall around it,

locked the gates, 11 and said,

"Your powerful waves stop here!

They can go no farther."

12 Did you ever tell the sun to rise?

And did it obey?

13 Did it take hold of the earth

and shake out the wicked

like dust from a rug?

14 Early dawn outlines the hills

like stitches on clothing

or sketches on clay.

15 But its light is too much

for those who are evil,

and their power is broken.

16 Job, have you ever walked

on the ocean floor?

17 Have you seen the gate

to the world of the dead?

18 And how large is the earth?

Tell me, if you know!

19 Where is the home of light,

and where does darkness live?

20 Can you lead them home?

21 I'm certain you must be able to,

since you were already born

when I created everything.

22 Have you been to the places

where I keep snow and hail,

23 until I use them to punish

and conquer nations?

24 From where does lightning leap,

or the east wind blow?

25 Who carves out a path

for thunderstorms?

Who sends torrents of rain

26 on empty deserts

where no one lives?

27 Rain that changes barren land

to meadows green with grass.

28 Who is the father of the dew

and of the rain?

29 Who gives birth to the sleet

and the frost

30 that fall in winter,

when streams and lakes

freeze solid as a rock?

31 * Can you arrange stars in groups

such as Orion

and the Pleiades?

32 Do you control the stars

or set in place the Big Dipper

and the Little Dipper?

33 Do you know the laws

that govern the heavens,

and can you make them rule

the earth?

34 Can you order the clouds

to send a downpour,

35 or will lightning flash

at your command?

36 Did you teach birds to know

that rain or floods

are on their way?*

37 Can you count the clouds

or pour out their water

38 on the dry, lumpy soil?

39 When lions are hungry,

do you help them hunt?

40 Do you send an animal

into their den?

41 And when starving young ravens

cry out to me for food,

do you satisfy their hunger?