Job 38
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New American Standard Bible 1995English Standard Version
1Then the LORD answered Job out of the whirlwind and said,1Then the LORD answered Job out of the whirlwind and said:
2"Who is this that darkens counsel By words without knowledge?2“Who is this that darkens counsel by words without knowledge?
3"Now gird up your loins like a man, And I will ask you, and you instruct Me!3Dress for action like a man; I will question you, and you make it known to me.
4"Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth? Tell Me, if you have understanding,4“Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth? Tell me, if you have understanding.
5Who set its measurements? Since you know. Or who stretched the line on it?5Who determined its measurements—surely you know! Or who stretched the line upon it?
6"On what were its bases sunk? Or who laid its cornerstone,6On what were its bases sunk, or who laid its cornerstone,
7When the morning stars sang together And all the sons of God shouted for joy?7when the morning stars sang together and all the sons of God shouted for joy?
8"Or who enclosed the sea with doors When, bursting forth, it went out from the womb;8“Or who shut in the sea with doors when it burst out from the womb,
9When I made a cloud its garment And thick darkness its swaddling band,9when I made clouds its garment and thick darkness its swaddling band,
10And I placed boundaries on it And set a bolt and doors,10and prescribed limits for it and set bars and doors,
11And I said, 'Thus far you shall come, but no farther; And here shall your proud waves stop '?11and said, ‘Thus far shall you come, and no farther, and here shall your proud waves be stayed’?
12"Have you ever in your life commanded the morning, And caused the dawn to know its place,12“Have you commanded the morning since your days began, and caused the dawn to know its place,
13That it might take hold of the ends of the earth, And the wicked be shaken out of it?13that it might take hold of the skirts of the earth, and the wicked be shaken out of it?
14"It is changed like clay under the seal; And they stand forth like a garment.14It is changed like clay under the seal, and its features stand out like a garment.
15"From the wicked their light is withheld, And the uplifted arm is broken.15From the wicked their light is withheld, and their uplifted arm is broken.
16"Have you entered into the springs of the sea Or walked in the recesses of the deep?16“Have you entered into the springs of the sea, or walked in the recesses of the deep?
17"Have the gates of death been revealed to you, Or have you seen the gates of deep darkness?17Have the gates of death been revealed to you, or have you seen the gates of deep darkness?
18"Have you understood the expanse of the earth? Tell Me, if you know all this.18Have you comprehended the expanse of the earth? Declare, if you know all this.
19"Where is the way to the dwelling of light? And darkness, where is its place,19“Where is the way to the dwelling of light, and where is the place of darkness,
20That you may take it to its territory And that you may discern the paths to its home?20that you may take it to its territory and that you may discern the paths to its home?
21"You know, for you were born then, And the number of your days is great!21You know, for you were born then, and the number of your days is great!
22"Have you entered the storehouses of the snow, Or have you seen the storehouses of the hail,22“Have you entered the storehouses of the snow, or have you seen the storehouses of the hail,
23Which I have reserved for the time of distress, For the day of war and battle?23which I have reserved for the time of trouble, for the day of battle and war?
24"Where is the way that the light is divided, Or the east wind scattered on the earth?24What is the way to the place where the light is distributed, or where the east wind is scattered upon the earth?
25"Who has cleft a channel for the flood, Or a way for the thunderbolt,25“Who has cleft a channel for the torrents of rain and a way for the thunderbolt,
26To bring rain on a land without people, On a desert without a man in it,26to bring rain on a land where no man is, on the desert in which there is no man,
27To satisfy the waste and desolate land And to make the seeds of grass to sprout?27to satisfy the waste and desolate land, and to make the ground sprout with grass?
28"Has the rain a father? Or who has begotten the drops of dew?28“Has the rain a father, or who has begotten the drops of dew?
29"From whose womb has come the ice? And the frost of heaven, who has given it birth?29From whose womb did the ice come forth, and who has given birth to the frost of heaven?
30"Water becomes hard like stone, And the surface of the deep is imprisoned.30The waters become hard like stone, and the face of the deep is frozen.
31"Can you bind the chains of the Pleiades, Or loose the cords of Orion?31“Can you bind the chains of the Pleiades or loose the cords of Orion?
32"Can you lead forth a constellation in its season, And guide the Bear with her satellites?32Can you lead forth the Mazzaroth in their season, or can you guide the Bear with its children?
33"Do you know the ordinances of the heavens, Or fix their rule over the earth?33Do you know the ordinances of the heavens? Can you establish their rule on the earth?
34"Can you lift up your voice to the clouds, So that an abundance of water will cover you?34“Can you lift up your voice to the clouds, that a flood of waters may cover you?
35"Can you send forth lightnings that they may go And say to you, 'Here we are'?35Can you send forth lightnings, that they may go and say to you, ‘Here we are’?
36"Who has put wisdom in the innermost being Or given understanding to the mind?36Who has put wisdom in the inward parts or given understanding to the mind?
37"Who can count the clouds by wisdom, Or tip the water jars of the heavens,37Who can number the clouds by wisdom? Or who can tilt the waterskins of the heavens,
38When the dust hardens into a mass And the clods stick together?38when the dust runs into a mass and the clods stick fast together?
39"Can you hunt the prey for the lion, Or satisfy the appetite of the young lions,39“Can you hunt the prey for the lion, or satisfy the appetite of the young lions,
40When they crouch in their dens And lie in wait in their lair?40when they crouch in their dens or lie in wait in their thicket?
41"Who prepares for the raven its nourishment When its young cry to God And wander about without food?41Who provides for the raven its prey, when its young ones cry to God for help, and wander about for lack of food?
New American Standard Bible Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, Calif. All rights reserved. For Permission to Quote Information visit //www.lockman.orgESV Text Edition: 2016. The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®) copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. The ESV® text has been reproduced in cooperation with and by permission of Good News Publishers. Unauthorized reproduction of this publication is prohibited. All rights reserved.
Job 37
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