Job 40
40
1The Lord then answered Job and said:
2Will one who argues with the Almighty be corrected?
Let him who would instruct God give answer!#Jb 38:3.
3Then Job answered the Lord and said:
4#Job’s first reaction is humble, but also seemingly cautious. Look, I am of little account; what can I answer you?
I put my hand over my mouth.
5I have spoken once, I will not reply;
twice, but I will do so no more.
6Then the Lord answered Job out of the storm and said:
7Gird up your loins now, like a man.
I will question you, and you tell me the answers!
8#The issue is joined in these verses, and the Lord seems to challenge Job to play God and to bring down the proud and wicked. Would you refuse to acknowledge my right?
Would you condemn me that you may be justified?
9Have you an arm like that of God,
or can you thunder with a voice like his?
10Adorn yourself with grandeur and majesty,
and clothe yourself with glory and splendor.
11Let loose the fury of your wrath;
look at everyone who is proud and bring them down.
12Look at everyone who is proud, and humble them.
Tear down the wicked in their place,
13bury them in the dust together;
in the hidden world imprison them.
14Then will I too praise you,
for your own right hand can save you.
15Look at Behemoth,#Behemoth: a primeval monster of chaos; identified by some scholars as the hippopotamus, on which the description of Behemoth is partially based. The point of the Behemoth-Leviathan passages is that only the Lord, not Job, can control the cosmic evil which these forces symbolize. whom I made along with you,
who feeds on grass like an ox.
16See the strength in his loins,
the power in the sinews of his belly.
17He carries his tail like a cedar;
the sinews of his thighs are like cables.
18His bones are like tubes of bronze;
his limbs are like iron rods.
19He is the first of God’s ways,
only his maker can approach him with a sword.
20For the mountains bring him produce,
and all wild animals make sport there.
21Under lotus trees he lies,
in coverts of the reedy swamp.
22The lotus trees cover him with their shade;
all about him are the poplars in the wadi.
23If the river grows violent, he is not disturbed;
he is tranquil though the Jordan surges about his mouth.
24Who can capture him by his eyes,
or pierce his nose#Eyes…nose: the only exposed parts of the submerged beast. with a trap?
25Can you lead Leviathan#Leviathan: although identified by some scholars as the crocodile, it is more likely another chaos monster; see note on 3:8. about with a hook,
or tie down his tongue with a rope?
26Can you put a ring into his nose,
or pierce through his cheek with a gaff?
27Will he then plead with you, time after time,
or address you with tender words?
28Will he make a covenant with you
that you may have him as a slave forever?
29Can you play with him, as with a bird?
Can you tie him up for your little girls?
30Will the traders bargain for him?
Will the merchants#Merchants: lit., “Canaanites,” whose reputation for trading was so widespread that their name came to be used for merchants; cf. Prv 31:24. divide him up?
31Can you fill his hide with barbs,
or his head with fish spears?
32Once you but lay a hand upon him,
no need to recall any other conflict!
Currently Selected:
Job 40: NABRE
Highlight
Share
Copy
Want to have your highlights saved across all your devices? Sign up or sign in
Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, Inc
Job 40
40
The LORD Speaks
1The Lord responded to Job,
2“Will the person who finds fault with the Almighty correct him?
Will the person who argues with God answer him?”
Job Speaks
3Job answered the Lord,
4“I’m so insignificant. How can I answer you?
I will put my hand over my mouth.
5I spoke once, but I can’t answer—
twice, but not again.”
The LORD Speaks: Can You Be Like Me, Job?
6Then the Lord responded to Job out of a storm,
7“Brace yourself like a man!
I will ask you, and you will teach me.
8“Would you undo my justice?
Would you condemn me so that you can be righteous?
9Do you have power like God’s?
Can you thunder with a voice like his?
10Then dress yourself in majesty and dignity.
Clothe yourself in splendor and glory.
11Unleash your outbursts of anger.
Look at all who are arrogant, and put them down.
12Look at all who are arrogant, and humble them.
Crush wicked people wherever they are.
13Hide them completely in the dust,
and cover their faces in the hidden place.
14Then even I will praise you
because your right hand can save you.
Can You Conquer Behemoth, Job?
15“Look at Behemoth,#40:15 The Hebrew word Behemoth means “beast, animal.” which I made along with you.
It eats grass as cattle do.
16Look at the strength in its back muscles,
the power in its stomach muscles.
17It makes its tail stiff like a cedar.
The ligaments of its thighs are intertwined.
18Its bones are bronze tubes.
They are like iron bars.
19Behemoth is the first of God’s conquests.
Its maker approaches it with his sword.
20The hills bring it food,
and all the wild animals play there.
21It lies down under the lotus plants
in a hiding place among reeds and swamps.
22Lotus plants provide it with cover.
Poplars by the stream surround it.
23Though the river flows powerfully against it, it’s not alarmed.
It’s confident ⌞even⌟ when the Jordan rushes against its mouth.
24Can anyone blind its eyes #40:24 Or “catch it with a trap.”
or pierce its nose with snares?
Currently Selected:
:
Highlight
Share
Copy
Want to have your highlights saved across all your devices? Sign up or sign in
GOD'S WORD® Translation ©1995, 2003, 2013, 2014, 2019, 2020 by God's Word to the Nations Mission Society. All rights reserved.