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God continues to speak to Job

40 The Lord said to Job,

‘Do you still want to argue with me, the Almighty God?
You say that I have not been fair.
Now you must explain what you mean.’

Job replies to God

Then Job answered the Lord. This is what he said:

‘I am only a foolish man.
    I cannot answer your questions.
I cover my mouth with my hand
    so that I say nothing.
I have already spoken too many times.
    I will say no more.’

God speaks to Job again

Then the Lord spoke to Job from inside the storm. This is what he said:

‘Prepare yourself for a difficult job!
I will ask you some more questions and you must answer them.

Do you say that I am not a fair judge?
Do you want to show that I am guilty, not you?
    Then you could say that you are right.
Do you have the same power to do great things as I have?
Can you speak with a voice as loud as thunder?
    I can!
10 If you think that you can do all this,
    show how great you are!
    Show everyone your power and your glory!
11 Show everyone your great anger!
Look at all the people who like to boast
    and bring them down low!
12 Yes, cause all the proud people to be humble.
    Knock down wicked people to the ground.
13 Bury them all together in the dust of the ground.
    Cover their faces and put them in their graves.
14 If you can do these things, Job,
    I will praise you.
I will agree that you have the power to save yourself.

15 Listen! I created the monsters called Behemoth.[a]
    I made you and I made them too.
They eat grass, as cows do.
16 But look at the strength of their legs and their body!
17 Their tails are like the branches of a cedar tree.
    Their legs are thick and very strong.
18 Their bones are like sticks made of bronze.
    Their legs are as strong as iron.
19 These monsters are some of the greatest animals that I have made.
But I who made them can take my sword
    and go near to them.
20 They eat the grass that grows on the hills.
    That is where the wild animals play.
21 They lie down under the thorn trees.
    They hide among the reeds at the edge of the water.
22 They rest in the shadow of the thorn trees,
    and among the willow trees beside the water.
23 Even when the river is deep and dangerous,
    these monsters are not afraid.
The water of the Jordan River may cover their mouths,
    but they still feel safe.
24 There is no way that anyone can catch one of them.
    No one can make its eyes blind.
    No one can put a ring in its nose and lead it away.’

Footnotes

  1. 40:15 This may be speaking about the large animal that we call a hippopotamus.

40 The Lord said to Job:(A)

“Will the one who contends with the Almighty(B) correct him?(C)
    Let him who accuses God answer him!”(D)

Then Job answered the Lord:

“I am unworthy(E)—how can I reply to you?
    I put my hand over my mouth.(F)
I spoke once, but I have no answer(G)
    twice, but I will say no more.”(H)

Then the Lord spoke to Job out of the storm:(I)

“Brace yourself like a man;
    I will question you,
    and you shall answer me.(J)

“Would you discredit my justice?(K)
    Would you condemn me to justify yourself?(L)
Do you have an arm like God’s,(M)
    and can your voice(N) thunder like his?(O)
10 Then adorn yourself with glory and splendor,
    and clothe yourself in honor and majesty.(P)
11 Unleash the fury of your wrath,(Q)
    look at all who are proud and bring them low,(R)
12 look at all who are proud(S) and humble them,(T)
    crush(U) the wicked where they stand.
13 Bury them all in the dust together;(V)
    shroud their faces in the grave.(W)
14 Then I myself will admit to you
    that your own right hand can save you.(X)

15 “Look at Behemoth,
    which I made(Y) along with you
    and which feeds on grass like an ox.(Z)
16 What strength(AA) it has in its loins,
    what power in the muscles of its belly!(AB)
17 Its tail sways like a cedar;
    the sinews of its thighs are close-knit.(AC)
18 Its bones are tubes of bronze,
    its limbs(AD) like rods of iron.(AE)
19 It ranks first among the works of God,(AF)
    yet its Maker(AG) can approach it with his sword.(AH)
20 The hills bring it their produce,(AI)
    and all the wild animals play(AJ) nearby.(AK)
21 Under the lotus plants it lies,
    hidden among the reeds(AL) in the marsh.(AM)
22 The lotuses conceal it in their shadow;
    the poplars by the stream(AN) surround it.
23 A raging river(AO) does not alarm it;
    it is secure, though the Jordan(AP) should surge against its mouth.
24 Can anyone capture it by the eyes,
    or trap it and pierce its nose?(AQ)