Job 40

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;[1]

I will question you, and you shall inform Me.[2]

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.[3]

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;[4]

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,[5]

hidden among the reeds of the marsh.

22The lotus plants conceal him in their shade;

the willows of the brook surround him.[6]

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?