| 1 | And the LORD said to Job: |
| 2 | “Shall a faultfinder contend with the Almighty? Anyone who argues with God must respond.” |
| 3 | Then Job answered the LORD: |
| 4 | “See, I am of small account; what shall I answer you? I lay my hand on my mouth. |
| 5 | I have spoken once, and I will not answer; twice, but will proceed no further.” |
| 6 | Then the LORD answered Job out of the whirlwind: |
| 7 | “Gird up your loins like a man; I will question you, and you declare to me. |
| 8 | Will you even put me in the wrong? Will you condemn me that you may be justified? |
| 9 | Have you an arm like God, and can you thunder with a voice like his? |
| 10 | “Deck yourself with majesty and dignity; clothe yourself with glory and splendor. |
| 11 | Pour out the overflowings of your anger, and look on all who are proud, and abase them. |
| 12 | Look on all who are proud, and bring them low; tread down the wicked where they stand. |
| 13 | Hide them all in the dust together; bind their faces in the world below. |
| 14 | Then I will also acknowledge to you that your own right hand can give you victory. |
| 15 | “Look at Behemoth, which I made just as I made you; it eats grass like an ox. |
| 16 | Its strength is in its loins, and its power in the muscles of its belly. |
| 17 | It makes its tail stiff like a cedar; the sinews of its thighs are knit together. |
| 18 | Its bones are tubes of bronze, its limbs like bars of iron. |
| 19 | “It is the first of the great acts of God — only its Maker can approach it with the sword. |
| 20 | For the mountains yield food for it where all the wild animals play. |
| 21 | Under the lotus plants it lies, in the covert of the reeds and in the marsh. |
| 22 | The lotus trees cover it for shade; the willows of the wadi surround it. |
| 23 | Even if the river is turbulent, it is not frightened; it is confident though Jordan rushes against its mouth. |
| 24 | Can one take it with hooks or pierce its nose with a snare? |