Job 40

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.footnote a

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.footnote b

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.footnote c

24He taketh it with his eyes: his nose pierceth through snares.footnote d

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 yourselffootnote alike a man;I will question you, and you shall inform Me.footnote b

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.footnote c 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;footnote donly 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,footnote ehidden among the reeds of the marsh. 22The lotus plants conceal him in their shade;the willowsfootnote fof 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?