Job — Chapter 38

1Then the LORD answered Job out of the whirlwind and said:

2“Who is this who obscures My counsel by words without knowledge?

3Now brace yourself like a man; I will question you, and you shall inform Me.

4Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth? Tell Me, if you have understanding.

5Who fixed its measurements? Surely you know! Or who stretched a measuring line across it?

6On what were its foundations set, or who laid its cornerstone,

7while the morning stars sang together and all the sons of God shouted for joy?

8Who enclosed the sea behind doors when it burst forth from the womb,

9when I made the clouds its garment and thick darkness its blanket,

10when I fixed its boundaries and set in place its bars and doors,

11and I declared: ‘You may come this far, but no farther; here your proud waves must stop’?

12In your days, have you commanded the morning or assigned the dawn its place,

13that it might spread to the ends of the earth and shake the wicked out of it?

14The earth takes shape like clay under a seal; its hills stand out like the folds of a garment.

15Light is withheld from the wicked, and their upraised arm is broken.

16Have you journeyed to the vents of the sea or walked in the trenches of the deep?

17Have the gates of death been revealed to you? Have you seen the gates of the shadow of death?

18Have you surveyed the extent of the earth? Tell Me, if you know all this.

19Where is the way to the home of light? Do you know where darkness resides,

20so you can lead it back to its border? Do you know the paths to its home?

21Surely you know, for you were already born! And the number of your days is great!

22Have you entered the storehouses of snow or observed the storehouses of hail,

23which I hold in reserve for times of trouble, for the day of war and battle?

24In which direction is the lightning dispersed, or the east wind scattered over the earth?

25Who cuts a channel for the flood or clears a path for the thunderbolt,

26to bring rain on a barren land, on a desert where no man lives,

27to satisfy the parched wasteland and make it sprout with tender grass?

28Does the rain have a father? Who has begotten the drops of dew?

29From whose womb does the ice emerge? Who gives birth to the frost from heaven,

30when the waters become hard as stone and the surface of the deep is frozen?

31Can you bind the chains of the Pleiades or loosen the belt of Orion?

32Can you bring forth the constellations in their seasons or lead out the Bear and her cubs?

33Do you know the laws of the heavens? Can you set their dominion over the earth?

34Can you command the clouds so that a flood of water covers you?

35Can you send the lightning bolts on their way? Do they report to you, ‘Here we are’?

36Who has put wisdom in the heart or given understanding to the mind?

37Who has the wisdom to count the clouds? Or who can tilt the water jars of the heavens

38when the dust hardens into a mass and the clods of earth stick together?

39Can you hunt the prey for a lioness or satisfy the hunger of young lions

40when they crouch in their dens and lie in wait in the thicket?

41Who provides food for the raven when its young cry out to God as they wander about for lack of food?

1Then the LORD answered Job out of the whirlwind, and said,

2Who is this that darkeneth counsel by words without knowledge?

3Gird up now thy loins like a man; for I will demand of thee, and answer thou me.

4Where wast thou when I laid the foundations of the earth? declare, if thou hast understanding.

5Who hath laid the measures thereof, if thou knowest? or who hath stretched the line upon it?

6Whereupon are the foundations thereof fastened? or who laid the corner stone thereof;

7When the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy?

8Or who shut up the sea with doors, when it brake forth, as if it had issued out of the womb?

9When I made the cloud the garment thereof, and thick darkness a swaddlingband for it,

10And brake up for it my decreed place, and set bars and doors,

11And said, Hitherto shalt thou come, but no further: and here shall thy proud waves be stayed?

12Hast thou commanded the morning since thy days; and caused the dayspring to know his place;

13That it might take hold of the ends of the earth, that the wicked might be shaken out of it?

14It is turned as clay to the seal; and they stand as a garment.

15And from the wicked their light is withholden, and the high arm shall be broken.

16Hast thou entered into the springs of the sea? or hast thou walked in the search of the depth?

17Have the gates of death been opened unto thee? or hast thou seen the doors of the shadow of death?

18Hast thou perceived the breadth of the earth? declare if thou knowest it all.

19Where is the way where light dwelleth? and as for darkness, where is the place thereof,

20That thou shouldest take it to the bound thereof, and that thou shouldest know the paths to the house thereof?

21Knowest thou it, because thou wast then born? or because the number of thy days is great?

22Hast thou entered into the treasures of the snow? or hast thou seen the treasures of the hail,

23Which I have reserved against the time of trouble, against the day of battle and war?

24By what way is the light parted, which scattereth the east wind upon the earth?

25Who hath divided a watercourse for the overflowing of waters, or a way for the lightning of thunder;

26To cause it to rain on the earth, where no man is; on the wilderness, wherein there is no man;

27To satisfy the desolate and waste ground; and to cause the bud of the tender herb to spring forth?

28Hath the rain a father? or who hath begotten the drops of dew?

29Out of whose womb came the ice? and the hoary frost of heaven, who hath gendered it?

30The waters are hid as with a stone, and the face of the deep is frozen.

31Canst thou bind the sweet influences of Pleiades, or loose the bands of Orion?

32Canst thou bring forth Mazzaroth in his season? or canst thou guide Arcturus with his sons?

33Knowest thou the ordinances of heaven? canst thou set the dominion thereof in the earth?

34Canst thou lift up thy voice to the clouds, that abundance of waters may cover thee?

35Canst thou send lightnings, that they may go, and say unto thee, Here we are?

36Who hath put wisdom in the inward parts? or who hath given understanding to the heart?

37Who can number the clouds in wisdom? or who can stay the bottles of heaven,

38When the dust groweth into hardness, and the clods cleave fast together?

39Wilt thou hunt the prey for the lion? or fill the appetite of the young lions,

40When they couch in their dens, and abide in the covert to lie in wait?

41Who provideth for the raven his food? when his young ones cry unto God, they wander for lack of meat.

1Then Jehovah answered Job out of the whirlwind, and said,

2Who is this that darkeneth counsel By words without knowledge?

3Gird up now thy loins like a man; For I will demand of thee, and declare thou unto me.

4Where wast thou when I laid the foundations of the earth? Declare, if thou hast understanding.

5Who determined the measures thereof, if thou knowest? Or who stretched the line upon it?

6Whereupon were the foundations thereof fastened? Or who laid the corner-stone thereof,

7When the morning stars sang together, And all the sons of God shouted for joy?

8Or [who] shut up the sea with doors, When it brake forth, [as if] it had issued out of the womb;

9When I made clouds the garment thereof, And thick darkness a swaddling-band for it,

10And marked out for it my bound, And set bars and doors,

11And said, Hitherto shalt thou come, but no further; And here shall thy proud waves be stayed?

12Hast thou commanded the morning since thy days [began], [And] caused the dayspring to know its place;

13That it might take hold of the ends of the earth, And the wicked be shaken out of it?

14It is changed as clay under the seal; And [all things] stand forth as a garment:

15And from the wicked their light is withholden, And the high arm is broken.

16Hast thou entered into the springs of the sea? Or hast thou walked in the recesses of the deep?

17Have the gates of death been revealed unto thee? Or hast thou seen the gates of the shadow of death?

18Hast thou comprehended the earth in its breadth? Declare, if thou knowest it all.

19Where is the way to the dwelling of light? And as for darkness, where is the place thereof,

20That thou shouldest take it to the bound thereof, And that thou shouldest discern the paths to the house thereof?

21[Doubtless], thou knowest, for thou wast then born, And the number of thy days is great!

22Hast thou entered the treasuries of the snow, Or hast thou seen the treasures of the hail,

23Which I have reserved against the time of trouble, Against the day of battle and war?

24By what way is the light parted, Or the east wind scattered upon the earth?

25Who hath cleft a channel for the waterflood, Or the way for the lightning of the thunder;

26To cause it to rain on a land where no man is; On the wilderness, wherein there is no man;

27To satisfy the waste and desolate [ground], And to cause the tender grass to spring forth?

28Hath the rain a father? Or who hath begotten the drops of dew?

29Out of whose womb came the ice? And the hoary frost of heaven, who hath gendered it?

30The waters hide themselves [and become] like stone, And the face of the deep is frozen.

31Canst thou bind the cluster of the Pleiades, Or loose the bands of Orion?

32Canst thou lead forth the Mazzaroth in their season? Or canst thou guide the Bear with her train?

33Knowest thou the ordinances of the heavens? Canst thou establish the dominion thereof in the earth?

34Canst thou lift up thy voice to the clouds, That abundance of waters may cover thee?

35Canst thou send forth lightnings, that they may go, And say unto thee, Here we are?

36Who hath put wisdom in the inward parts? Or who hath given understanding to the mind?

37Who can number the clouds by wisdom? Or who can pour out the bottles of heaven,

38When the dust runneth into a mass, And the clods cleave fast together?

39Canst thou hunt the prey for the lioness, Or satisfy the appetite of the young lions,

40When they couch in their dens, [And] abide in the covert to lie in wait?

41Who provideth for the raven his prey, When his young ones cry unto God, [And] wander for lack of food?

1Then the Lord answered Job out of the whirlwind:

2“Who is this who darkens counsel with words without knowledge?

3Get ready for a difficult task like a man; I will question you, and you will inform me.

4“Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth? Tell me, if you possess understanding.

5Who set its measurements—if you know— or who stretched a measuring line across it?

6On what were its bases set, or who laid its cornerstone—

7when the morning stars sang in chorus, and all the sons of God shouted for joy?

8“Who shut up the sea with doors when it burst forth, coming out of the womb,

9when I made the storm clouds its garment and thick darkness its swaddling band,

10when I prescribed its limits and set in place its bolts and doors,

11when I said, ‘To here you may come and no farther, here your proud waves will be confined’?

12Have you ever in your life commanded the morning, or made the dawn know its place,

13that it might seize the corners of the earth and shake the wicked out of it?

14The earth takes shape like clay under a seal; its features are dyed like a garment.

15Then from the wicked the light is withheld, and the arm raised in violence is broken.

16Have you gone to the springs that fill the sea or walked about in the recesses of the deep?

17Have the gates of death been revealed to you? Have you seen the gates of deepest darkness?

18Have you considered the vast expanses of the earth? Tell me, if you know it all.

19“In what direction does light reside, and darkness, where is its place,

20that you may take them to their borders and perceive the pathways to their homes?

21You know, for you were born before them; and the number of your days is great!

22Have you entered the storehouse of the snow or seen the armory of the hail,

23which I reserve for the time of trouble, for the day of war and battle?

24In what direction is lightning dispersed, or the east winds scattered over the earth?

25Who carves out a channel for the heavy rains and a path for the rumble of thunder,

26to cause it to rain on an uninhabited land, a wilderness where there are no human beings,

27to satisfy a devastated and desolate land, and to cause it to sprout with vegetation?

28Does the rain have a father, or who has fathered the drops of the dew?

29From whose womb does the ice emerge, and the frost from the sky, who gives birth to it,

30when the waters become hard like stone, when the surface of the deep is frozen solid?

31Can you tie the bands of the Pleiades or release the cords of Orion?

32Can you lead out the constellations in their seasons or guide the Bear with its cubs?

33Do you know the laws of the heavens, or can you set up their rule over the earth?

34Can you raise your voice to the clouds so that a flood of water covers you?

35Can you send out lightning bolts, and they go? Will they say to you, ‘Here we are’?

36Who has put wisdom in the heart or has imparted understanding to the mind?

37Who by wisdom can count the clouds, and who can tip over the water jars of heaven,

38when the dust hardens into a mass, and the clumps of earth stick together?

39“Do you hunt prey for the lioness and satisfy the appetite of the lions

40when they crouch in their dens, when they wait in ambush in the thicket?

41Who prepares prey for the raven, when its young cry out to God and wander about for lack of food?

1Then Yahweh answered Job out of the whirlwind,

2“Who is this who darkens counsel by words without knowledge?

3Brace yourself like a man, for I will question you, then you answer me!

4“Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth? Declare, if you have understanding.

5Who determined its measures, if you know? Or who stretched the line on it?

6Whereupon were its foundations fastened? Or who laid its cornerstone,

7when the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy?

8“Or who shut up the sea with doors, when it broke out of the womb,

9when I made clouds its garment, and wrapped it in thick darkness,

10marked out for it my bound, set bars and doors,

11and said, ‘Here you may come, but no further. Here your proud waves shall be stayed?’

12“Have you commanded the morning in your days, and caused the dawn to know its place;

13that it might take hold of the ends of the earth, and shake the wicked out of it?

14It is changed as clay under the seal, and presented as a garment.

15From the wicked, their light is withheld. The high arm is broken.

16“Have you entered into the springs of the sea? Or have you walked in the recesses of the deep?

17Have the gates of death been revealed to you? Or have you seen the gates of the shadow of death?

18Have you comprehended the earth in its width? Declare, if you know it all.

19“What is the way to the dwelling of light? As for darkness, where is its place,

20that you should take it to its bound, that you should discern the paths to its house?

21Surely you know, for you were born then, and the number of your days is great!

22Have you entered the treasuries of the snow, or have you seen the treasures of the hail,

23which I have reserved against the time of trouble, against the day of battle and war?

24By what way is the lightning distributed, or the east wind scattered on the earth?

25Who has cut a channel for the flood water, or the path for the thunderstorm;

26To cause it to rain on a land where no man is; on the wilderness, in which there is no man;

27to satisfy the waste and desolate ground, to cause the tender grass to grow?

28Does the rain have a father? Or who fathers the drops of dew?

29Out of whose womb came the ice? The gray frost of the sky, who has given birth to it?

30The waters become hard like stone, when the surface of the deep is frozen.

31“Can you bind the cluster of the Pleiades, or loosen the cords of Orion?

32Can you lead the constellations out in their season? Or can you guide the Bear with her cubs?

33Do you know the laws of the heavens? Can you establish its dominion over the earth?

34“Can you lift up your voice to the clouds, That abundance of waters may cover you?

35Can you send out lightnings, that they may go? Do they report to you, ‘Here we are?’

36Who has put wisdom in the inward parts? Or who has given understanding to the mind?

37Who can count the clouds by wisdom? Or who can pour out the bottles of the sky,

38when the dust runs into a mass, and the clods of earth stick together?

39“Can you hunt the prey for the lioness, or satisfy the appetite of the young lions,

40when they crouch in their dens, and lie in wait in the thicket?

41Who provides for the raven his prey, when his young ones cry to God, and wander for lack of food?