Job 40

1 And the Lord*ch. 38:1said to Job:

2 "Shall a faultfinder *See ch. 33:13contend with the Almighty?

He who argues with God, let him answer it."

Job Promises Silence

3 Then Job answered the Lord and said:

4 "Behold, I am *[ch. 42:6;Ezra 9:6] of small account; what shall I answer you?

*ch. 21:5;29:9;Judg. 18:19I lay my hand on my mouth.

5 I have spoken *ch. 33:14;Ps. 62:11once, and I will not answer;

*ch. 33:14;Ps. 62:11twice, but I will proceed no further."

The Lord Challenges Job

6 Then the Lord*ch. 38:1answered Job out of the whirlwind and said:

7 *ch. 38:3"Dress for action*40:7 Hebrew Gird up your loins like a man;

*ch. 38:3;42:4I will question you, and you make it known to me.

8 Will you even put me in the wrong?

Will you condemn me that *See ch. 32:2you may be in the right?

9 Have you *Ps. 89:13;Isa. 63:12an arm like God,

and can you thunder with *See ch. 37:4a voice like his?

10 "Adorn yourself with majesty and dignity;

*[Ps. 93:1;104:1]clothe yourself with glory and splendor.

11 Pour out the overflowings of your anger,

and look on everyone who is *[Dan. 4:37]; See Isa. 2:11-17proud and abase him.

12 Look on everyone who is proud and bring him low

and *Isa. 63:3tread down the wicked *[ch. 36:20]where they stand.

13 *Isa. 2:10Hide them all in *ch. 21:26the dust together;

bind their faces in the world below.*40:13 Hebrew in the hidden place

14 Then will I also acknowledge to you

that your own *Ps. 98:1;Isa. 59:16;63:5right hand can save you.

15 "Behold, Behemoth,*40:15 A large animal, exact identity uncertain

which I made as I made you;

he eats *Num. 22:4grass like an ox.

16 Behold, his strength in his loins,

and his power in the muscles of his belly.

17 He makes his tail stiff like a cedar;

the sinews of his thighs are knit together.

18 His bones are tubes of bronze,

his limbs like bars of iron.

19 "He is *[Prov. 8:22] the first of *ch. 26:14the works*40:19 Hebrew ways of God;

let him who made him bring near his sword!

20 For the mountains yield food for him

where all the wild beasts play.

21 Under the lotus plants he lies,

in the shelter of *Ps. 68:30the reeds and in the marsh.

22 For his shade the lotus trees cover him;

the willows of the brook surround him.

23 Behold, if the river is turbulent he is not frightened;

he is confident though Jordan rushes against his mouth.

24 Can one take him by his eyes,*40:24 Or in his sight

or pierce his nose with a snare?