Job 40
Open in the reader1And He-Who-Is said to Assailed:
2“Will the faultfinder contend with the Almighty? Let him who argues with God give an answer.”
3Then Assailed answered He-Who-Is:
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.”
6Then He-Who-Is answered Assailed out of the whirlwind and said:
7“Now brace yourself like a man; I will question you, and you shall inform Me.
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.
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.
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.
22The lotus plants conceal him in their shade; the willows of the brook surround him.
23Though the river rages, Behemoth is unafraid; he remains secure, though the Descender surges to his mouth.
24Can anyone capture him as he looks on, or pierce his nose with a snare?
25“Can you pull in The-Twisting-Serpent with a hook or tie down his tongue with a rope?
26Can you put a cord through his nose or pierce his jaw with a hook?
27Will he beg you for mercy or speak to you softly?
28Will he make a covenant with you to take him as a slave for life?
29Can you pet him like a bird or put him on a leash for your maidens?
30Will traders barter for him or divide him among the merchants?
31Can you fill his hide with harpoons or his head with fishing spears?
32If you lay a hand on him, you will remember the battle and never repeat it!