Job 40:1–24

¹ And the LORD said to Job: ² “Will the faultfinder contend with the Almighty? Let him who argues with God give an answer.” ³ Then Job answered the LORD: ⁴ “Behold, I am insignificant. How can I reply to You? I place my hand over my mouth. ⁵ I have spoken once, but I have no answer— twice, but I have nothing to add.” ⁶ Then 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. ⁸ Would you really annul My justice? Would you condemn Me to justify yourself? ⁹ Do you have an arm like God’s? Can you thunder with a voice like His? ¹⁰ Then adorn yourself with majesty and splendor, and clothe yourself with honor and glory. ¹¹ Unleash the fury of your wrath; look on every proud man and bring him low. ¹² Look on every proud man and humble him; trample the wicked where they stand. ¹³ Bury them together in the dust; imprison them in the grave. ¹⁴ Then I will confess to you that your own right hand can save you. ¹⁵ Look at Behemoth, which I made along with you. He feeds on grass like an ox. ¹⁶ See the strength of his loins and the power in the muscles of his belly. ¹⁷ His tail sways like a cedar; the sinews of his thighs are tightly knit. ¹⁸ His bones are tubes of bronze; his limbs are rods of iron. ¹⁹ He is the foremost of God’s works; only his Maker can draw the sword against him. ²⁰ The hills yield him their produce, while all the beasts of the field play nearby. ²¹ He lies under the lotus plants, hidden among the reeds of the marsh. ²² The lotus plants conceal him in their shade; the willows of the brook surround him. ²³ Though the river rages, Behemoth is unafraid; he remains secure, though the Jordan surges to his mouth. ²⁴ Can anyone capture him as he looks on, or pierce his nose with a snare?