Job 40

Chapter 40

1 Then the LORD said to Job,
2 “Do you still want to argue with the Almighty?
You are God’s critic, but do you have the answers?”

Job Responds to the LORD

3 Then Job replied to the LORD,
4 “I am nothing—how could I ever find the answers?
I will cover my mouth with my hand.5 I have said too much already.
I have nothing more to say.”

The LORD Challenges Job Again

6 Then the LORD answered Job from the whirlwind:
7 “Brace yourself like a man,
because I have some questions for you,
and you must answer them.8 “Will you discredit my justice
and condemn me just to prove you are right?9 Are you as strong as God?
Can you thunder with a voice like his?10 All right, put on your glory and splendor,
your honor and majesty.11 Give vent to your anger.
Let it overflow against the proud.12 Humiliate the proud with a glance;
walk on the wicked where they stand.13 Bury them in the dust.
Imprison them in the world of the dead.14 Then even I would praise you,
for your own strength would save you.15 “Take a look at Behemoth,t
which I made, just as I made you.
It eats grass like an ox.16 See its powerful loins
and the muscles of its belly.17 Its tail is as strong as a cedar.
The sinews of its thighs are knit tightly together.18 Its bones are tubes of bronze.
Its limbs are bars of iron.19 It is a prime example of God’s handiwork,
and only its Creator can threaten it.20 The mountains offer it their best food,
where all the wild animals play.21 It lies under the lotus plants,t
hidden by the reeds in the marsh.22 The lotus plants give it shade
among the willows beside the stream.23 It is not disturbed by the raging river,
not concerned when the swelling Jordan rushes around it.24 No one can catch it off guard
or put a ring in its nose and lead it away.

JOB 40

The [Lord] Continues

I Am the [Lord] All-Powerful

1 I am the [Lord] All-Powerful,

2 but you have argued
that I am wrong.
Now you must answer me.

3 Job said to the [Lord]:

4 Who am I to answer you?

5 I did speak once or twice,
but never again.

6 Then out of the storm
the [Lord] said to Job:

7 Face me and answer
the questions I ask!

8 Are you trying to prove
that you are innocent
by accusing me of injustice?

9 Do you have a powerful arm
and a thundering voice
that compare with mine?

10 If so, then surround yourself
with glory and majesty.
*

11 Show your furious anger!
Throw down and crush

12 all who are proud and evil.

13 Wrap them in grave clothes
and bury them together
in the dusty soil.

14 Do this, and I will agree
that you have won
this argument.

I Created You

15 I created both you
and the hippopotamus.t
It eats only grass like an ox,

16 but look at the mighty muscles
in its body

17 and legs.
Its tail is like a cedar tree,
and its thighs are thick.

18 The bones in its legs
are like bronze or iron.

19 I made it more powerful
than any other creature,
yet I am stronger still.

20 Undisturbed, it eats grass
while the other animals
play nearby.t
*

21 It rests in the shade of trees
along the riverbank

22 or hides among reeds
in the swamp.

23 It remains calm and unafraid
with the Jordan River rushing
and splashing in its face.

24 There is no way to capture
a hippopotamus—
not even by hooking its nose
or blinding its eyes.