⁴ “Where were you when I laid the earth’s foundation?^(A)
    Tell me, if you understand.^(B)
5 Who marked off its dimensions?^(C) Surely you know!
    Who stretched a measuring line^(D) across it?
⁶ On what were its footings set,^(E)
    or who laid its cornerstone^(F)—
⁷ while the morning stars^(G) sang together^(H)
    and all the angels^[a](I) shouted for joy?^(J)

¹² Who has measured the waters^(A) in the hollow of his hand,^(B)
    or with the breadth of his hand marked off the heavens?^(C)
Who has held the dust of the earth in a basket,
    or weighed the mountains on the scales
    and the hills in a balance?^(D)
13 Who can fathom the Spirit^[a](E) of the Lord,
    or instruct the Lord as his counselor?^(F)
14 Whom did the Lord consult to enlighten him,
    and who taught him the right way?
Who was it that taught him knowledge,^(G)
    or showed him the path of understanding?^(H)

⁸ “For my thoughts^(A) are not your thoughts,
    neither are your ways my ways,”^(B)
declares the Lord.
⁹ “As the heavens are higher than the earth,^(C)
    so are my ways higher than your ways
    and my thoughts than your thoughts.^(D)

“What no eye has seen,
    what no ear has heard,
and what no human mind has conceived”^[a]—
    the things God has prepared for those who love him—^(A)

“Who has known the mind of the Lord
    so as to instruct him?”^[a](A)