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VIII. The Lord and Job Meet

Chapter 38

Then the Lord[a] answered Job out of the storm and said:

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Footnotes

  1. 38:1 Now the Lord enters the debate and addresses two discourses (chaps. 38–39 and 40–41) to Job, speaking of divine wisdom and power. Such things are altogether beyond the capacity of Job. Out of the storm: frequently the background of the appearances of the Lord in the Old Testament; cf. Ps 18; 50; Na 1:3; Hb 3:2–15.

12 Have you ever in your lifetime commanded the morning
    and shown the dawn its place
13 For taking hold of the ends of the earth,
    till the wicked are shaken from it?
14 The earth is changed as clay by the seal,
    and dyed like a garment;
15 But from the wicked their light is withheld,
    and the arm of pride is shattered.
16 Have you entered into the sources of the sea,
    or walked about on the bottom of the deep?
17 Have the gates of death been shown to you,
    or have you seen the gates of darkness?
18 Have you comprehended the breadth of the earth?
    Tell me, if you know it all.
19 What is the way to the dwelling of light,
    and darkness—where is its place?
20 That you may take it to its territory
    and know the paths to its home?
21 You know, because you were born then,
    and the number of your days is great![a]

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Footnotes

  1. 38:21 Ironic, but not a harsh rebuke.

Then Job answered the Lord and said:

[a]Look, I am of little account; what can I answer you?
    I put my hand over my mouth.
I have spoken once, I will not reply;
    twice, but I will do so no more.

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Footnotes

  1. 40:4–5 Job’s first reaction is humble, but also seemingly cautious.