The Book of Job

⭑ Berean Study Bible :: World English Bible Catholic ⭑

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- Chapter 40 -

And the LORD said to Job:

“Will the faultfinder contend with the Almighty? Let him who argues with God give an answer.”

Job's answer to God

Then Job answered the LORD:

“Behold, I am insignificant. How can I reply to You? I place my hand over my mouth.

I have spoken once, but I have no answer— twice, but I have nothing to add.”

God's challenge to Job

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

“Now brace yourself (a) like a man; I will question you, and you shall inform Me.(b)

Would you really annul My justice? Would you condemn Me to justify yourself?

Do you have an arm like God’s? Can you thunder with a voice like His?

Then adorn yourself with majesty and splendor, and clothe yourself with honor and glory.

Unleash the fury of your wrath; look on every proud man and bring him low.

Look on every proud man and humble him; trample the wicked where they stand.

Bury them together in the dust; imprison them in the grave.(c)

Then I will confess to you that your own right hand can save you.

Look at Behemoth, which I made along with you. He feeds on grass like an ox.

See the strength of his loins and the power in the muscles of his belly.

His tail sways like a cedar; the sinews of his thighs are tightly knit.

His bones are tubes of bronze; his limbs are rods of iron.

He is the foremost of God’s works;(d) only his Maker can draw the sword against him.

The hills yield him their produce, while all the beasts of the field play nearby.

He lies under the lotus plants,(e) hidden among the reeds of the marsh.

The lotus plants conceal him in their shade; the willows

(f)

of the brook surround him.

Though the river rages, Behemoth is unafraid; he remains secure, though the Jordan surges to his mouth.

Can anyone capture him as he looks on, or pierce his nose with a snare?

Footnotes

(a)40:7 Hebrew gird up your loins

(b)40:7 Cited in Job 42:4

(d)40:19 Hebrew ways

(e)40:21 Or bramble bushes; also in verse 22

(f)40:22 Or poplars

Moreover the LORD answered Job,

“Shall he who argues contend with the Almighty? He who argues with God, let him answer it.”

Job's answer to God

Then Job answered the LORD,

“Behold, I am of small account. What will I answer you? I lay my hand on my mouth.

I have spoken once, and I will not answer; Yes, twice, but I will proceed no further.”

God's challenge to Job

Then the LORD answered Job out of the whirlwind:

“Now brace yourself like a man. I will question you, and you will answer me.

Will you even annul my judgment? Will you condemn me, that you may be justified?

Or do you have an arm like God? Can you thunder with a voice like him?

“Now deck yourself with excellency and dignity. Array yourself with honor and majesty.

Pour out the fury of your anger. Look at everyone who is proud, and bring him low.

Look at everyone who is proud, and humble him. Crush the wicked in their place.

Hide them in the dust together. Bind their faces in the hidden place.

Then I will also admit to you that your own right hand can save you.

“See now behemoth, which I made as well as you. He eats grass as an ox.

Look now, his strength is in his thighs. His force is in the muscles of his belly.

He moves his tail like a cedar. The sinews of his thighs are knit together.

His bones are like tubes of bronze. His limbs are like bars of iron.

He is the chief of the ways of God. He who made him gives him his sword.

Surely the mountains produce food for him, where all the animals of the field play.

He lies under the lotus trees, in the covert of the reed, and the marsh.

The lotuses cover him with their shade. The willows of the brook surround him.

Behold, if a river overflows, he doesn’t tremble. He is confident, though the Jordan swells even to his mouth.

Shall any take him when he is on the watch, or pierce through his nose with a snare?