Job Humbles Himself before Yahweh

1And YHWH answered Job and said,

2“Is a reprover to contend with Shaddai?†

One rebuking God, let him answer it.”

3And Job answered YHWH and said,

4“Behold, I am slight. How can I reply to You?

My hand I place over my mouth.

5Once I have spoken, and I will not answer—

and twice, and I will not add.”

Yahweh Challenges Job Again

6And YHWH answered Job from the whirlwind, and He said,

7“Gird up now your loins like a man;

I will question you, and you shall let Me know.†

8Would you even break My judgment?

Would you consider Me wicked so that you may be proved right?

9Is there an arm like God’s unto you?

Or with a voice like His can you thunder?

10Adorn yourself, please, with majesty and loftiness,

and with honor and glory clothe yourself.

11Scatter the fury of your nose,

and look on every proud one, and bring him low.

12Look on every proud one, and humble him;

and tread down the wicked in their place.

13Hide them in the dust together;

bind their faces in the hidden place.†

14And then I will confess to you

that your right hand can bring salvation to you.

15Behold, please, Behemoth, which I made with you;

he eats grass like the ox.

16Behold, please, his strength is in his loins,

and his power is in the muscles of his belly.

17He bends his tail like a cedar;

the sinews of his thighs are tightly knit.

18His bones are tubes of bronze;

his limbs are like bars of iron.

19He is the first of the ways† of God;

his Maker can bring near His sword.

20For the mountains carry produce to him,

and all the creatures of the field play there.

21Beneath the lotus trees† he lies down,

in the covering of reed and marsh.

22The lotus trees cover him with their shade;

the willows† of the brook surround him.

23Though the river may press, he does not hurry off;

he is secure, though the Jordan should burst forth toward his mouth.

24Can one take him by his eyes,

or pierce his nose with snares?