1The Lord answered Job:

2Will the one who contends with the Almighty correct him?

Let him who argues with God give an answer.A

3Then Job answered the Lord:

4I am so insignificant. How can I answer you?a

I place my hand over my mouth.

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

twice, but now I can add nothing.a

6Then the Lord answered Job from the whirlwind:a

7Get ready to answer me like a man;

When I questiona you, you will inform me.

8Would you really challenge my justice?

Would you declare me guiltya to justify yourself?b

9Do you have an arm like God’s?

Can you thunder with a voice like his?

10Adorn yourself with majestya and splendor,

and clothe yourself with honor and glory.

11Pour out your raging anger;a

look on every proud person and humiliate him.b

12Look on every proud person and humble him;a

trample the wicked where they stand.A

13Hide them together in the dust;

imprison them in the grave.A

14Then I will confess to you

that your own right handa can deliver you.b

15Look at Behemoth,

which I made along with you.

He eats grass like cattle.

16Look at the strength of his backA

and the power in the muscles of his belly.

17He stiffens his tail like a cedar tree;

the tendons of his thighs are woven firmly together.

18His bones are bronze tubes;

his limbs are like iron rods.

19He is the foremost of God’s works;a

only his Maker can draw the sword against him.

20The hills yield food for him,

while all sorts of wild animals play there.

21He lies under the lotus plants,

hiding in the protectionA of marshy reeds.

22Lotus plants cover him with their shade;

the willows by the brook surround him.

23Though the river rages, Behemoth is unafraid;

he remains confident, even if the Jordan surges up to his mouth.

24Can anyone capture him while he looks on,A

or pierce his nose with snares?