Job 40:3-24 - Compare All Versions

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Then Job answered the LORD: “I am unworthy—how can I reply to you? I put my hand over my mouth. I spoke once, but I have no answer— twice, but I will say no more.” Then the LORD spoke to Job out of the storm: “Brace yourself like a man; I will question you, and you shall answer me. “Would you discredit my justice? Would you condemn me to justify yourself? Do you have an arm like God’s, and can your voice thunder like his? Then adorn yourself with glory and splendor, and clothe yourself in honor and majesty. Unleash the fury of your wrath, look at all who are proud and bring them low, look at all who are proud and humble them, crush the wicked where they stand. Bury them all in the dust together; shroud their faces in the grave. Then I myself will admit to you that your own right hand can save you. “Look at Behemoth, which I made along with you and which feeds on grass like an ox. What strength it has in its loins, what power in the muscles of its belly! Its tail sways like a cedar; the sinews of its thighs are close-knit. Its bones are tubes of bronze, its limbs like rods of iron. It ranks first among the works of God, yet its Maker can approach it with his sword. The hills bring it their produce, and all the wild animals play nearby. Under the lotus plants it lies, hidden among the reeds in the marsh. The lotuses conceal it in their shadow; the poplars by the stream surround it. A raging river does not alarm it; it is secure, though the Jordan should surge against its mouth. Can anyone capture it by the eyes, or trap it and pierce its nose?

Then Job answered the LORD and said: “Behold, I am of small account; what shall I answer you? I lay my hand on my mouth. I have spoken once, and I will not answer; twice, but I will proceed no further.” LORD Then the LORD answered Job out of the whirlwind and said: “Dress for action like a man; I will question you, and you make it known to me. Will you even put me in the wrong? Will you condemn me that you may be in the right? Have you an arm like God, and can you thunder with a voice like his? “Adorn yourself with majesty and dignity; clothe yourself with glory and splendor. Pour out the overflowings of your anger, and look on everyone who is proud and abase him. Look on everyone who is proud and bring him low and tread down the wicked where they stand. Hide them all in the dust together; bind their faces in the world below. Then will I also acknowledge to you that your own right hand can save you. “Behold, Behemoth, which I made as I made you; he eats grass like an ox. Behold, his strength in his loins, and his power in the muscles of his belly. He makes his tail stiff like a cedar; the sinews of his thighs are knit together. His bones are tubes of bronze, his limbs like bars of iron. “He is the first of the works of God; let him who made him bring near his sword! For the mountains yield food for him where all the wild beasts play. Under the lotus plants he lies, in the shelter of the reeds and in the marsh. For his shade the lotus trees cover him; the willows of the brook surround him. Behold, if the river is turbulent he is not frightened; he is confident though Jordan rushes against his mouth. Can one take him by his eyes, or pierce his nose with a snare?

Then Job replied to the LORD, “I am nothing—how could I ever find the answers? I will cover my mouth with my hand. I have said too much already. I have nothing more to say.” LORD Then the LORD answered Job from the whirlwind: “Brace yourself like a man, because I have some questions for you, and you must answer them. “Will you discredit my justice and condemn me just to prove you are right? Are you as strong as God? Can you thunder with a voice like his? All right, put on your glory and splendor, your honor and majesty. Give vent to your anger. Let it overflow against the proud. Humiliate the proud with a glance; walk on the wicked where they stand. Bury them in the dust. Imprison them in the world of the dead. Then even I would praise you, for your own strength would save you. “Take a look at Behemoth, which I made, just as I made you. It eats grass like an ox. See its powerful loins and the muscles of its belly. Its tail is as strong as a cedar. The sinews of its thighs are knit tightly together. Its bones are tubes of bronze. Its limbs are bars of iron. It is a prime example of God’s handiwork, and only its Creator can threaten it. The mountains offer it their best food, where all the wild animals play. It lies under the lotus plants, hidden by the reeds in the marsh. The lotus plants give it shade among the willows beside the stream. It is not disturbed by the raging river, not concerned when the swelling Jordan rushes around it. No one can catch it off guard or put a ring in its nose and lead it away.

Then Job answered the LORD: I am so insignificant. How can I answer you?  I place my hand over my mouth. I have spoken once, and I will not reply; twice, but now I can add nothing.  Then the LORD answered Job from the whirlwind:  Get ready to answer me like a man; when I question  you, you will inform me. Would you really challenge my justice? Would you declare me guilty  to justify yourself?  Do you have an arm like God’s? Can you thunder with a voice like his? Adorn yourself with majesty  and splendor, and clothe yourself with honor and glory. Pour out your raging anger;  look on every proud person and humiliate him.  Look on every proud person and humble him;  trample the wicked where they stand.  Hide them together in the dust; imprison them in the grave.  Then I will confess to you that your own right hand  can deliver you.  Look at Behemoth, which I made along with you. He eats grass like cattle. Look at the strength of his back  and the power in the muscles of his belly. He stiffens his tail like a cedar tree; the tendons of his thighs are woven firmly together. His bones are bronze tubes; his limbs are like iron rods. He is the foremost of God’s works;  only his Maker can draw the sword against him. The hills yield food for him, while all sorts of wild animals play there. He lies under the lotus plants, hiding in the protection  of marshy reeds. Lotus plants cover him with their shade; the willows by the brook surround him. Though the river rages, Behemoth is unafraid; he remains confident, even if the Jordan surges up to his mouth. Can anyone capture him while he looks on,  or pierce his nose with snares?

Then Job answered the LORD, and said, Behold, I am vile; what shall I answer thee? I will lay mine hand upon my mouth. Once have I spoken; but I will not answer: Yea, twice; but I will proceed no further. Then answered the LORD unto Job out of the whirlwind, and said, Gird up thy loins now like a man: I will demand of thee, and declare thou unto me. Wilt thou also disannul my judgment? Wilt thou condemn me, that thou mayest be righteous? Hast thou an arm like God? Or canst thou thunder with a voice like him? Deck thyself now with majesty and excellency; And array thyself with glory and beauty. Cast abroad the rage of thy wrath: And behold every one that is proud, and abase him. Look on every one that is proud, and bring him low; And tread down the wicked in their place. Hide them in the dust together; And bind their faces in secret. Then will I also confess unto thee That thine own right hand can save thee. Behold now behemoth, Which I made with thee; He eateth grass as an ox. Lo now, his strength is in his loins, And his force is in the navel of his belly. He moveth his tail like a cedar: The sinews of his stones are wrapped together. His bones are as strong pieces of brass; His bones are like bars of iron. He is the chief of the ways of God: He that made him can make his sword to approach unto him. Surely the mountains bring him forth food, Where all the beasts of the field play. He lieth under the shady trees, In the covert of the reed, and fens. The shady trees cover him with their shadow; The willows of the brook compass him about. Behold, he drinketh up a river, and hasteth not: He trusteth that he can draw up Jordan into his mouth. He taketh it with his eyes: His nose pierceth through snares.

Then Job answered the LORD and said: “Behold, I am vile; What shall I answer You? I lay my hand over my mouth. Once I have spoken, but I will not answer; Yes, twice, but I will proceed no further.” Then the LORD answered Job out of the whirlwind, and said: “Now prepare yourself like a man; I will question you, and you shall answer Me: “Would you indeed annul My judgment? Would you condemn Me that you may be justified? Have you an arm like God? Or can you thunder with a voice like His? Then adorn yourself with majesty and splendor, And array yourself with glory and beauty. Disperse the rage of your wrath; Look on everyone who is proud, and humble him. Look on everyone who is proud, and bring him low; Tread down the wicked in their place. Hide them in the dust together, Bind their faces in hidden darkness. Then I will also confess to you That your own right hand can save you. “Look now at the behemoth, which I made along with you; He eats grass like an ox. See now, his strength is in his hips, And his power is in his stomach muscles. He moves his tail like a cedar; The sinews of his thighs are tightly knit. His bones are like beams of bronze, His ribs like bars of iron. He is the first of the ways of God; Only He who made him can bring near His sword. Surely the mountains yield food for him, And all the beasts of the field play there. He lies under the lotus trees, In a covert of reeds and marsh. The lotus trees cover him with their shade; The willows by the brook surround him. Indeed the river may rage, Yet he is not disturbed; He is confident, though the Jordan gushes into his mouth, Though he takes it in his eyes, Or one pierces his nose with a snare.

Job answered: “I’m speechless, in awe—words fail me. I should never have opened my mouth! I’ve talked too much, way too much. I’m ready to shut up and listen.” GOD addressed Job next from the eye of the storm, and this is what he said: “I have some more questions for you, and I want straight answers. “Do you presume to tell me what I’m doing wrong? Are you calling me a sinner so you can be a saint? Do you have an arm like my arm? Can you shout in thunder the way I can? Go ahead, show your stuff. Let’s see what you’re made of, what you can do. Unleash your outrage. Target the arrogant and lay them flat. Target the arrogant and bring them to their knees. Stop the wicked in their tracks—make mincemeat of them! Dig a mass grave and dump them in it— faceless corpses in an unmarked grave. I’ll gladly step aside and hand things over to you— you can surely save yourself with no help from me! “Look at the land beast, Behemoth. I created him as well as you. Grazing on grass, docile as a cow— Just look at the strength of his back, the powerful muscles of his belly. His tail sways like a cedar in the wind; his huge legs are like beech trees. His skeleton is made of steel, every bone in his body hard as steel. Most magnificent of all my creatures, but I still lead him around like a lamb! The grass-covered hills serve him meals, while field mice frolic in his shadow. He takes afternoon naps under shade trees, cools himself in the reedy swamps, Lazily cool in the leafy shadows as the breeze moves through the willows. And when the river rages he doesn’t budge, stolid and unperturbed even when the Jordan goes wild. But you’d never want him for a pet— you’d never be able to housebreak him!”

Then Job answered the LORD and said, “Behold, I am insignificant; what can I say in response to You? I put my hand on my mouth. “I have spoken once, and I will not reply; Or twice, and I will add nothing more.” Then the LORD answered Job from the whirlwind and said, “Now tighten the belt on your waist like a man; I will ask you, and you instruct Me. “Will you really nullify My judgment? Will you condemn Me so that you may be justified? “Or do you have an arm like God, And can you thunder with a voice like His? ¶“Adorn yourself with pride and dignity, And clothe yourself with honor and majesty. “Let out your outbursts of anger, And look at everyone who is arrogant, and humble him. “Look at everyone who is arrogant, and humble him, And trample down the wicked where they stand. “Hide them together in the dust; Imprison them in the hidden place. “Then I will also confess to you, That your own right hand can save you. ¶“Behold, Behemoth, which I made as well as you; He eats grass like an ox. “Behold, his strength in his waist, And his power in the muscles of his belly. “He hangs his tail like a cedar; The tendons of his thighs are knit together. “His bones are tubes of bronze; His limbs are like bars of iron. ¶“He is the first of the ways of God; Let his Maker bring His sword near. “Indeed the mountains bring him food, And all the animals of the field play there. “He lies down under the lotus plants, In the hiding place of the reeds and the marsh. “The lotus plants cover him with shade; The willows of the brook surround him. “If a river rages, he is not alarmed; He is confident, though the Jordan rushes to his mouth. “Can anyone capture him when he is on watch, Can anyone pierce his nose with barbs?

Then Job replied to the LORD and said, “Behold, I am of little importance and contemptible; what can I reply to You? I lay my hand on my mouth. [Ezra 9:6; Ps 51:4] “I have spoken once, but I will not reply again— Indeed, twice [I have answered], and I will add nothing further.” Then the LORD answered Job out of the whirlwind, saying, “Now gird up your loins (prepare yourself) like a man, And I will ask you, and you instruct Me. “Will you really annul My judgment and set it aside as void? Will you condemn Me [your God] that you may [appear to] be righteous and justified? “Have you an arm like God, And can you thunder with a voice like His? ¶“Adorn yourself with eminence and dignity [since you question the Almighty], And array yourself with honor and majesty. “Pour out the overflowings of your wrath, And look at everyone who is proud and make him low. “Look at everyone who is proud, and humble him, And [if you are so able] tread down the wicked where they stand. “[Crush and] hide them in the dust together; Shut them up in the hidden place [the house of death]. “[If you can do all this, Job, proving your divine power] then I [God] will also praise you and acknowledge That your own right hand can save you. ¶“Behold now, Behemoth, which I created as well as you; He eats grass like an ox. “See now, his strength is in his loins And his power is in the muscles and sinews of his belly. “He sways his tail like a cedar; The tendons of his thighs are twisted and knit together [like a rope]. “His bones are tubes of bronze; His limbs are like bars of iron. ¶“He is the first [in magnitude and power] of the works of God; [Only] He who made him can bring near His sword [to master him]. “Surely the mountains bring him food, And all the wild animals play there. “He lies down under the lotus plants, In the hidden shelter of the reeds in the marsh. “The lotus plants cover him with their shade; The willows of the brook surround him. “If a river rages and overflows, he does not tremble; He is confident, though the Jordan [River] swells and rushes against his mouth. “Can anyone capture him when he is on watch, Or pierce his nose with barbs [to trap him]?

Then Job answered the LORD: “Indeed, I am completely unworthy – how could I reply to you? I put my hand over my mouth to silence myself. I have spoken once, but I cannot answer; twice, but I will say no more.” Then the LORD answered Job from the whirlwind: “Get ready for a difficult task like a man. I will question you and you will inform me! Would you indeed annul my justice? Would you declare me guilty so that you might be right? Do you have an arm as powerful as God’s, and can you thunder with a voice like his? Adorn yourself, then, with majesty and excellency, and clothe yourself with glory and honor! Scatter abroad the abundance of your anger. Look at every proud man and bring him low; Look at every proud man and abase him; crush the wicked on the spot! Hide them in the dust together, imprison them in the grave. Then I myself will acknowledge to you that your own right hand can save you. “Look now at Behemoth, which I made as I made you; it eats grass like the ox. Look at its strength in its loins, and its power in the muscles of its belly. It makes its tail stiff like a cedar, the sinews of its thighs are tightly wound. Its bones are tubes of bronze, its limbs like bars of iron. It ranks first among the works of God, the One who made it has furnished it with a sword. For the hills bring it food, where all the wild animals play. Under the lotus trees it lies, in the secrecy of the reeds and the marsh. The lotus trees conceal it in their shadow; the poplars by the stream conceal it. If the river rages, it is not disturbed, it is secure, though the Jordan should surge up to its mouth. Can anyone catch it by its eyes, or pierce its nose with a snare?