Job 40
Job Humbles Himself before the LORD
1And the LORD said to Job:
2“Will the faultfinder contend with the Almighty? Let him who argues with God give an answer.”
3Then Job answered the LORD:
4“Behold, I am insignificant. How can I reply to You? I place my hand over my mouth.
5I have spoken once, but I have no answer—twice, but I have nothing to add.”
The LORD Challenges Job Again
6Then the LORD answered Job out of the whirlwind and said:
7“Now brace yourself like a man; I will question you, and you shall inform Me. 1 2
8Would you really annul My justice? Would you condemn Me to justify yourself?
9Do you have an arm like God’s? Can you thunder with a voice like His?
10Then adorn yourself with majesty and splendor, and clothe yourself with honor and glory.
11Unleash the fury of your wrath; look on every proud man and bring him low.
12Look on every proud man and humble him; trample the wicked where they stand.
13Bury them together in the dust; imprison them in the grave. 3
14Then I will confess to you that your own right hand can save you.
15Look at Behemoth, which I made along with you. He feeds on grass like an ox.
16See the strength of his loins and the power in the muscles of his belly.
17His tail sways like a cedar; the sinews of his thighs are tightly knit.
18His bones are tubes of bronze; his limbs are rods of iron.
19He is the foremost of God’s works; only his Maker can draw the sword against him. 4
20The hills yield him their produce, while all the beasts of the field play nearby.
21He lies under the lotus plants, hidden among the reeds of the marsh. 5
22The lotus plants conceal him in their shade; the willows of the brook surround him. 6
23Though the river rages, Behemoth is unafraid; he remains secure, though the Jordan surges to his mouth.
24Can anyone capture him as he looks on, or pierce his nose with a snare?’’
Notes
- 1 Hebrew gird up your loins
- 2 Cited in Job 42:4
- 3 Or in the hidden place
- 4 Hebrew ways
- 5 Or bramble bushes; also in verse 22
- 6 Or poplars