Chapter 40
Job’s Response to the Lord
1 The Lord then said to Job:
2 “Will the one who finds fault with the Almighty respond?
Anyone who argues with God should state his case.”
3 Job then answered the Lord and said:
4 “Since I am of little importance, how can I reply to you?
I will simply place my hand over my mouth.
5 Although I have spoken once, I will not answer;
I have spoken twice, but I will do so no more.”
The Lord’s Second Speech
Unleash the Fury of Your Wrath. 6 Then the Lord addressed Job out of the whirlwind:
7 “Gird up your loins like a man.
I intend to put questions to you,
and you must give me your answers.
8 Will you continue to deny that I am just?
Will you condemn me in order to justify yourself?
9 Do you have an arm like that of God?
Can your voice thunder as loudly as his?
10 “Display your majesty and grandeur;
array yourself with glory and splendor.
11 Unleash the fury of your wrath
and humble the haughty with a glance.
12 Look on all who are proud and shatter them;
strike down the wicked where they stand.
13 Bury all of them in the earth together,
and shroud their faces in an unknown grave.
14 Then I in turn will acknowledge to you
that your own right hand is strong enough to save you.
Behemoth . . . the First of God’s Works
15 “Look at Behemoth whom I made just as I made you;
it feeds on grass like an ox.
16 Yet what strength it has in its loins
and what power in the muscles of its body.
17 Its tail is as stiff as a cedar;
the sinews of its thighs are tightly knit.
18 Its bones are like tubes of bronze,
its limbs like rods of iron.
19 “It is the first of God’s works;
only its Maker can control it with the sword.
20 The mountains provide it with food,
as do the wild animals that roam the hills.
21 It rests under the lotus trees
as it lies hidden among the reeds in the marsh.
22 “The lotus trees afford it shade,
and it is sheltered by the willows of the stream.
23 Even if the river becomes turbulent,
it does not become frightened;
it remains tranquil
even if the waters rise up to its mouth.
24 Who can blind its eyes and capture it
or pierce its nose with a trap?
Leviathan . . . the King of the Haughty
25 “Can you catch Leviathan with a fishhook
or tie a rope around its tongue?
26 Can you put a rope through its nose
or pierce its jaw with a hook?
27 Will it plead with you for mercy
and address you with gentle words?
28 Will it strike a bargain with you
that will make it your servant forever?
29 “Will you play with it as you would with a bird?
Will you put it on a leash to amuse your maidens?
30 Will traders bargain for it?
Will merchants divide it up?
31 Can you riddle its hide with harpoons
or its head with fishing spears?
32 If you ever should plan to lay a hand on it,
first think of the struggle that awaits you,
and then cease all such thoughts.
Footnotes
- Job 40:1
- Job 40:6
- Job 40:6
- Job 40:13
- Job 40:15
- Job 40:25
- Job 40:26
