God's first speech

The LORD speaks

From out of a storm

1From out of a storm,

the LORD said to Job:

2Why do you talk so much

when you know so little?

3Now get ready to face me!

Can you answer

the questions I ask?

4How did I lay the foundation

for the earth?

Were you there?

5Doubtless you know who decided

its length and width.

6What supports the foundation?

Who placed the cornerstone,

7while morning stars sang,

and angels rejoiced?

8When the ocean was born,38.8-11: Jr 5.22.

I set its boundaries

9and wrapped it in blankets

of thickest fog.

10Then I built a wall around it,

locked the gates, 11and said,

“Your powerful waves stop here!

They can go no further.”

Did you ever tell the sun to rise?

12Did you ever tell the sun to rise?

And did it obey?

13Did it take hold of the earth

and shake out the wicked

like dust from a rug?

14Early dawn outlines the hills

like stitches on clothing

or sketches on clay.

15But its light is too much

for those who are evil,

and their power is broken.

16Job, have you ever walked

on the ocean floor?

17Have you seen the gate

to the world of the dead?

18And how large is the earth?

Tell me, if you know!

19Where is the home of light,

and where does darkness live?

20Can you lead them home?

21I'm certain you must be able to,

since you were already born

when I created everything.

22Have you been to the places

where I keep snow and hail,

23until I use them to punish

and conquer nations?

24From where does lightning leap,

or the east wind blow?

25Who carves out a path

for thunderstorms?

Who sends torrents of rain

26on empty deserts

where no one lives?

27Rain that changes barren land

to meadows green with grass.

28Who is the father of the dew

and of the rain?

29Who gives birth to the sleet

and the frost

30that fall in winter,

when streams and lakes

freeze solid as a rock?

Can you arrange stars?

31Can you arrange stars in groups38.31: Job 9.9; Am 5.8.

such as Orion

and the Pleiades?

32Do you control the stars

or set in place the Great Bear

and the Little Bear?

33Do you know the laws

that govern the heavens,

and can you make them rule

the earth?

34Can you order the clouds

to send a downpour,

35or will lightning flash

at your command?

36Did you teach birds to know

that rain or floods

are on their way?38.36 way: One possible meaning for the difficult Hebrew text of verse 36.

37Can you count the clouds

or pour out their water

38on the dry, lumpy soil?

39When lions are hungry,

do you help them hunt?

40Do you send an animal

into their den?

41And when starving young ravens

cry out to me for food,

do you satisfy their hunger?