Job 38

Chapter 38

The LORD Challenges Job

1 Then the LORD answered Job from the whirlwind:
2 “Who is this that questions my wisdom
with such ignorant words?3 Brace yourself like a man,
because I have some questions for you,
and you must answer them.4 “Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth?
Tell me, if you know so much.5 Who determined its dimensions
and stretched out the surveying line?6 What supports its foundations,
and who laid its cornerstone7 as the morning stars sang together
and all the angelst shouted for joy?8 “Who kept the sea inside its boundaries
as it burst from the womb,9 and as I clothed it with clouds
and wrapped it in thick darkness?10 For I locked it behind barred gates,
limiting its shores.11 I said, ‘This far and no farther will you come.
Here your proud waves must stop!’12 “Have you ever commanded the morning to appear
and caused the dawn to rise in the east?13 Have you made daylight spread to the ends of the earth,
to bring an end to the night’s wickedness?14 As the light approaches,
the earth takes shape like clay pressed beneath a seal;
it is robed in brilliant colors.t15 The light disturbs the wicked
and stops the arm that is raised in violence.16 “Have you explored the springs from which the seas come?
Have you explored their depths?17 Do you know where the gates of death are located?
Have you seen the gates of utter gloom?18 Do you realize the extent of the earth?
Tell me about it if you know!19 “Where does light come from,
and where does darkness go?20 Can you take each to its home?
Do you know how to get there?21 But of course you know all this!
For you were born before it was all created,
and you are so very experienced!22 “Have you visited the storehouses of the snow
or seen the storehouses of hail?23 (I have reserved them as weapons for the time of trouble,
for the day of battle and war.)24 Where is the path to the source of light?
Where is the home of the east wind?25 “Who created a channel for the torrents of rain?
Who laid out the path for the lightning?26 Who makes the rain fall on barren land,
in a desert where no one lives?27 Who sends rain to satisfy the parched ground
and make the tender grass spring up?28 “Does the rain have a father?
Who gives birth to the dew?29 Who is the mother of the ice?
Who gives birth to the frost from the heavens?30 For the water turns to ice as hard as rock,
and the surface of the water freezes.31 “Can you direct the movement of the stars—
binding the cluster of the Pleiades
or loosening the cords of Orion?32 Can you direct the sequence of the seasons
or guide the Bear with her cubs across the heavens?33 Do you know the laws of the universe?
Can you use them to regulate the earth?34 “Can you shout to the clouds
and make it rain?35 Can you make lightning appear
and cause it to strike as you direct?36 Who gives intuition to the heart
and instinct to the mind?37 Who is wise enough to count all the clouds?
Who can tilt the water jars of heaven38 when the parched ground is dry
and the soil has hardened into clods?39 “Can you stalk prey for a lioness
and satisfy the young lions’ appetites40 as they lie in their dens
or crouch in the thicket?41 Who provides food for the ravens
when their young cry out to God
and wander about in hunger?

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?