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.”
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.+
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 youthat 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 loinsand 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 Jordan surges to his mouth.
24Can anyone capture him as he looks on,or pierce his nose with a snare?