Job 40

1And Yahweh answered Job and said:

2Will one who contends with the Almighty correct him? Let the one who argues with God answer it.

3Then Job answered Yahweh and said:

4Look, I am insignificant; what can I answer you? I put my hand over my mouth.

5I have spoken once, and I will not answer; twice, and I will add nothing more.

6Then Yahweh answered Job out of the storm and said:

7Gird up your loins like a man; I will question you, and inform me.

8Would you even overturn my judgment? Would you condemn me so that you may be in the right?

9Or do you have an arm like God’s, and can you thunder with a voice like his?

10Now adorn yourself with majesty and loftiness, and clothe yourself with splendor and honor.

11Scatter the outbursts of your anger, and look at everyone who is proud and bring him low.

12Look at everyone who is proud, and humble him; crush the wicked where they stand.

13Hide them together in the dust; bind their faces in the hidden place.

14Then even I will praise you, because your right hand can save you.

15Look now at Behemoth, which I made along with you; he eats grass like an ox.

16Look now: his strength is in his loins, and his power is in the muscles of his belly.

17He bends his tail like a cedar; the sinews of his thighs are intertwined.

18His bones are channels of bronze; his bones are like bars of iron.

19He is the chief of God’s works; let his Maker bring near his sword.

20For the mountains yield their produce for him, and all the wild animals of the field play there.

21Under the lotus trees he lies down, in the shelter of the reeds and the marsh.

22The lotus trees cover him with their shade; the willows of the brook surround him.

23Look, if a river rages, he is not alarmed; he is confident even if the Jordan surges against his mouth.

24Can one capture him before his eyes? Can one pierce his nose with snares?

25Can you draw out Leviathan with a fishhook, or press down his tongue with a rope?

26Can you put a rope through his nose, or pierce his jaw with a hook?

27Will he make many pleas to you, or will he speak soft words to you?

28Will he make a covenant with you? Will you take him as a servant forever?

29Will you play with him like a bird, or tie him up for your girls?

30Will traders bargain over him? Will they divide him among the merchants?

31Can you fill his hide with harpoons, or his head with fishing spears?

32Lay your hand on him; remember the battle—do not do it again.