1And the LORD said to Job:

2“Shall a faultfinder contend with the Almighty?

He who argues with God, let him answer it.”

Job's reply

3Then Job answered the LORD:

4“Behold, I am of small account; what shall I answer thee?

I lay my hand on my mouth.

5I have spoken once, and I will not answer;

twice, but I will proceed no further.”

The Lord's answer

6Then the LORD answered Job out of the whirlwind:

7“Gird up your loins like a man;

I will question you, and you declare to me.

8Will you even put me in the wrong?

Will you condemn me that you may be justified?

9Have you an arm like God,

and can you thunder with a voice like his?

10“Deck yourself with majesty and dignity;

clothe yourself with glory and splendour.

11Pour forth the overflowings of your anger,

and look on every one that is proud, and abase him.

12Look on every one that is proud, and bring him low;

and tread down the wicked where they stand.

13Hide them all in the dust together;

bind their faces in the world below.40.13 Heb hidden place

14Then will I also acknowledge to you,

that your own right hand can give you victory.

15“Behold, Be'hemoth,40.15 Or the hippopotamus

which I made as I made you;

he eats grass like an ox.

16Behold, his strength in his loins,

and his power in the muscles of his belly.

17He makes his tail stiff like a cedar;

the sinews of his thighs are knit together.

18His bones are tubes of bronze,

his limbs like bars of iron.

19“He is the first of the works40.19 Heb ways of God;

let him who made him bring near his sword!

20For the mountains yield food for him

where all the wild beasts play.

21Under the lotus plants he lies,

in the covert of the reeds and in the marsh.

22For his shade the lotus trees cover him;

the willows of the brook surround him.

23Behold, if the river is turbulent he is not frightened;

he is confident though Jordan rushes against his mouth.

24Can one take him with hooks,40.24 Cn: Heb in his eyes

or pierce his nose with a snare?