² “Who is this that ^(B)darkens counsel by words ^(C)without knowledge?
^3 (D)Dress for action^[a] like a man;
    I will question you, and you make it known to me.
⁴ “Where were you when I ^(E)laid the foundation of the earth?
    Tell me, if you have understanding.
⁵ Who 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,
⁷ when the morning stars ^(F)sang together
    and all ^(G)the sons of God ^(H)shouted for joy?
⁸ “Or who ^(I)shut in the sea with doors
    when it burst out from the womb,
⁹ when I made clouds its garment
    and ^(J)thick darkness its swaddling band,
¹⁰ and prescribed ^(K)limits for it
    and set bars and doors,
¹¹ and said, ‘Thus far shall you come, and no farther,
    and here shall your ^(L)proud waves be stayed’?
¹² “Have you ^(M)commanded the morning since your days began,
    and caused the dawn to know its place,
¹³ that it might take hold of ^(N)the skirts of the earth,
    and the wicked be ^(O)shaken out of it?
¹⁴ It is changed like clay under the seal,
    and its features stand out like a garment.
¹⁵ From the wicked their ^(P)light is withheld,
    and ^(Q)their uplifted arm is broken.

² “Shall a fault-finder ^(B)contend with the Almighty?
    He who argues with God, let him answer it.”

⁴ “Behold, I am ^(C)of small account; what shall I answer you?
    ^(D)I lay my hand on my mouth.
⁵ I have spoken ^(E)once, and I will not answer;
    ^(F)twice, but I will proceed no further.”

^7 (H)“Dress for action^[a] like a man;
    ^(I)I will question you, and you make it known to me.
⁸ Will you even put me in the wrong?
    Will you condemn me that ^(J)you may be in the right?
⁹ Have you ^(K)an arm like God,
    and can you thunder with ^(L)a voice like his?
¹⁰ “Adorn yourself with majesty and dignity;
    ^(M)clothe yourself with glory and splendour.
¹¹ Pour out the overflowings of your anger,
    and look on everyone who is ^(N)proud and abase him.
¹² Look on everyone who is proud and bring him low
    and ^(O)tread down the wicked ^(P)where they stand.
^13 (Q)Hide them all in ^(R)the dust together;
    bind their faces in the world below.^[b]
14 Then will I also acknowledge to you
    that your own ^(S)right hand can save you.