Job 38

The Lord Reveals His Omnipotence to Job

1 Then the Lord answered Job out of the whirlwind, and said: Then the Lord answered Job out of the whirlwind, and said:2 Who is this who darkens counsel By words without knowledge?3 Now prepare yourself like a man; I will question you, and you shall answer Me.4 Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth? Tell Me, if you have understanding.5 Who determined its measurements? Surely you know! Or who stretched the line upon it?6 To what were its foundations fastened? Or who laid its cornerstone,7 When the morning stars sang together, And all the sons of God shouted for joy?8 Or who shut in the sea with doors, When it burst forth and issued from the womb;9 When I made the clouds its garment, And thick darkness its swaddling band;10 When I fixed My limit for it, And set bars and doors;11 When I said, This far you may come, but no farther, And here your proud waves must stop!12 Have you commanded the morning since your days began, And caused the dawn to know its place,13 That it might take hold of the ends of the earth, And the wicked be shaken out of it?14 It takes on form like clay under a seal, And stands out like a garment.15 From the wicked their light is withheld, And the upraised arm is broken.16 Have you entered the springs of the sea? Or have you walked in search of the depths?17 Have the gates of death been revealed to you? Or have you seen the doors of the shadow of death?18 Have you comprehended the breadth of the earth? Tell Me, if you know all this.19 Where is the way to the dwelling of light? And darkness, where is its place,20 That you may take it to its territory, That you may know the paths to its home?21 Do you know it, because you were born then, Or because the number of your days is great?22 Have you entered the treasury of snow, Or have you seen the treasury of hail,23 Which I have reserved for the time of trouble, For the day of battle and war?24 By what way is light diffused, Or the east wind scattered over the earth?25 Who has divided a channel for the overflowing water, Or a path for the thunderbolt,26 To cause it to rain on a land where there is no one, A wilderness in which there is no man;27 To satisfy the desolate waste, And cause to spring forth the growth of tender grass?28 Has the rain a father? Or who has begotten the drops of dew?29 From whose womb comes the ice? And the frost of heaven, who gives it birth?30 The waters harden like stone, And the surface of the deep is frozen.31 Can you bind the cluster of the Pleiades, Or loose the belt of Orion?32 Can you bring out Mazzaroth in its season? Or can you guide the Great Bear with its cubs?33 Do you know the ordinances of the heavens? Can you set their dominion over the earth?34 Can you lift up your voice to the clouds, That an abundance of water may cover you?35 Can you send out lightnings, that they may go, And say to you, Here we are! ?36 Who has put wisdom in the mind? Or who has given understanding to the heart?37 Who can number the clouds by wisdom? Or who can pour out the bottles of heaven,38 When the dust hardens in clumps, And the clods cling together?39 Can you hunt the prey for the lion, Or satisfy the appetite of the young lions,40 When they crouch in their dens, Or lurk in their lairs to lie in wait?41 Who provides food for the raven, When its young ones cry to God, And wander about for lack of food?

JOB 38

The [Lord] Speaks

From Out of a Storm

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  t while morning stars sang,
and angels rejoiced?

8  t 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.”

Did You Ever //Tell the Sun To Rise?

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?

Can You Arrange Stars?

31  t 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?t

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?