约伯记 38-41
Chinese Contemporary Bible (Simplified)
耶和华回答约伯
38 那时,耶和华从旋风中回答约伯说:
2 “是谁用无知的话蒙蔽我的旨意?
3 你要像勇士一样束腰备战,
我来提问,你来回答。
4 “我立大地根基的时候,你在哪里?
你若那么聪明,请告诉我。
5 你可知道谁为大地定的尺寸?
谁用准绳把它丈量?
6 是什么支撑大地的根基?
谁为它安放的基石?
7 当时晨星齐声歌唱,
众天使都发出欢呼。
8 “大海从母胎奔腾而出时,
谁为它划定界限?
9 是我为大海披上云彩,
为它裹上厚厚的幽暗。
10 是我为它划定界限,
并安上门和闩,
11 说,‘你到此为止,不可越界;
你狂傲的波涛要停在这里。’
12 “你生平可曾向晨曦发号施令,
为黎明的曙光指定岗位,
13 使阳光普照大地,
抖出藏匿的恶人?
14 日光使大地改观,如泥上盖印,
万物如衣服般显出颜色。
15 恶人得不到光明,
强横的臂膀必折断。
16 你可曾到过大海的源头,
走过深渊的底部?
17 死亡之门可曾向你显露?
你可曾见过幽冥之门?
18 你知道大地有多广阔吗?
你若知道,就告诉我吧。
19 “哪条路通往光明的居所?
哪里是黑暗的住处?
20 你能把它们带回原处吗?
你认识通往其居所的路吗?
21 你肯定知道,
因为那时你已出生,
你的寿数又很长久!
22 “你曾到过雪库,
或见过雹仓吗?
23 那是我为降灾之时,
为争战之日而预备的。
24 光从哪条路散开?
东风从哪条路吹向大地?
25 谁为豪雨开水道,
为雷电辟路径,
26 使雨水降在杳无人烟之地,
降在无人居住的旷野,
27 以滋润荒凉不毛之地,
使土地长出青草?
28 雨水有父亲吗?
谁生的露珠?
29 冰出自谁的胎?
谁生的天上的霜?
30 水变得坚硬如石,
深渊表面凝结成冰。
31 “你能系住昴星的结,
解开参星的带吗?
32 你能按季节领出星座,
引导北斗及其众星吗?
33 你知道天的定律吗?
你能使地服从天律吗?
34 你能号令云彩,
使倾盆大雨覆盖你吗?
35 你能命闪电发出,
让它听候调遣吗?
36 谁将智慧放在人胸中?
谁使人内心有聪明?
37-38 尘土结成硬团,
土块黏在一起时,
谁能凭智慧数算云彩?
谁能倾倒天上的水囊?
39-40 “狮子卧在洞中,
壮狮埋伏在隐秘处,
你能为它们猎取食物,
使它们饱餐吗?
41 乌鸦的幼雏饿得飞来飞去,
向上帝哀鸣时,
谁供应乌鸦食物?
39 “你知道野山羊何时生产吗?
你看过母鹿产仔吗?
2 你能算出它们怀胎的月数吗?
你知道它们分娩的日期吗?
3 它们几时屈身产仔,
结束分娩之痛?
4 幼仔健壮,在荒野长大,
离群而去,不再回来。
5 “谁让野驴逍遥自在?
谁解开了它的缰绳?
6 我使它以旷野为家,
以盐地作居所。
7 它嗤笑城邑的喧闹,
不听赶牲口的吆喝。
8 它以群山作草场,
寻找青翠之物。
9 “野牛岂肯为你效劳,
在你的槽旁过夜?
10 你岂能用缰绳把野牛牵到犁沟?
它岂肯跟着你在山谷耕地?
11 你岂能倚靠它的大力,
把你的重活交给它?
12 岂能靠它运回粮食,
替你堆聚到麦场?
13 “鸵鸟欢然拍动翅膀,
它岂有白鹳的翎羽?
14 它将蛋产在地上,
使蛋得到沙土的温暖,
15 却不知蛋会被踩碎,
或遭野兽践踏。
16 它苛待雏鸟,好像它们并非己出,
就算徒劳一场,它也不怕。
17 因为上帝未赐它智慧,
没有给它悟性。
18 然而,一旦它展翅奔跑,
必嗤笑马儿和骑士。
19 “马的力量岂是你赐的?
它颈上的鬃毛岂是你披的?
20 岂是你使它跳跃如蝗虫,
发出令人胆寒的长嘶?
21 它在谷中刨地,
炫耀力量,奋力冲向敌军。
22 它嘲笑恐惧,毫不害怕,
不因刀剑而退缩。
23 它背上的箭袋铮铮作响,
长矛和投枪闪闪发光。
24 角声一响,它便无法静立,
狂烈地颤抖,急于驰骋大地。
25 听到角声,它就发出长嘶,
它老远便嗅到战争的气味,
并听见吶喊和将领的号令。
26 “鹰隼展翅翱翔,飞往南方,
岂是靠你的智慧?
27 秃鹰腾飞,在高处搭窝,
岂是奉你的命令?
28 它居住在悬崖上,
盘踞在山岩峭壁,
29 它从那里搜寻猎物,
它的目光直达远方。
30 它的幼雏噬血,
哪里有尸体,它就在哪里。”
40 耶和华又对约伯说:
2 “强辩者岂可与全能者争论?
与上帝辩驳的人请作出答复。”
3 约伯回答耶和华说:
4 “我这样卑微,怎能答复你?
我只有用手掩口。
5 我说了一次,不能答复;
说了两次,不敢再说。”
6 耶和华从旋风中对约伯说:
7 “你要像勇士一样束腰备战,
我来提问,你来回答。
8 你要推翻我的公义,
归罪于我而自以为义吗?
9 你有上帝那样的臂膀吗?
你能像祂那样发出雷鸣吗?
10 请展示你的荣耀和光辉,
披上你的尊荣和威严;
11 发泄你满腔的怒火,
鉴察骄傲者,贬抑他;
12 鉴察骄傲者,制服他,
将恶人原地践踏;
13 将他们一起埋进尘土,
藏入幽冥。
14 这样,我就承认你的右手能拯救自己。
15 “你看河马,
它和你都是我造的,
它像牛一样吃草。
16 你看它腰间的气力,
它腹部肌肉的力量。
17 它尾巴挺直如香柏树,
大腿的筋紧密相连,
18 骨头如铜管,
四肢像铁棍。
19 它是上帝创造的杰作,
创造主赐给它利刃[a]。
20 群山供应它食物,
百兽在那里玩耍。
21 它躺在莲叶之下,
藏在泥沼的芦苇间,
22 莲叶为它遮荫,
溪畔的柳树环绕它。
23 河水泛滥,它不惊惧;
约旦河涨到它口边,它也无忧。
24 谁能在它警觉时捕捉它,
或用钩子穿透它的鼻子?
41 “你岂能用鱼钩钓鳄鱼,
用绳索绑住它的舌头?
2 你岂能用绳子穿它的鼻子,
用钩子穿它的腮骨?
3 它岂会向你连连求饶,
对你说柔和的话?
4 它岂肯与你立约,
一生做你的奴隶?
5 你岂能拿它当小鸟玩耍,
或拴起来给幼女取乐?
6 渔夫们岂能把它当货物出售,
卖给商人?
7 你岂能在它皮上戳满长矛,
头上插满鱼叉?
8 你动手碰碰它,
就知道有何恶战,绝不会再碰。
9 企图捕捉它的都会失望,
人看到它就会心惊胆战。
10 再凶猛的人也不敢惹它。
这样,谁能在我面前站立得住?
11 谁给过我什么,要我偿还?
天下万物都是我的。
12 “论到它的四肢、大力和姣美的身体,
我不能缄默不言。
13 谁能剥去它的外皮?
谁能给它戴上辔头?
14 谁能打开它的口?
它的牙齿令人恐惧。
15 它的脊背覆着行行鳞甲,
牢牢地密封在一起,
16 紧密无间,
连气也透不进去。
17 鳞甲彼此相连相扣,
无法分开。
18 它打喷嚏时,水光四射;
它的眼睛发出晨光;
19 口中喷出火炬,
迸出火星;
20 鼻孔冒烟,
如沸腾的锅和燃烧的芦苇;
21 呼气可点燃煤炭,
口中喷出火焰;
22 颈项强而有力,
恐惧在它前面开路;
23 身上的皱褶紧密相连,
牢牢地密封在一起;
24 心坚如石,
硬如磨石。
25 它一站起来,勇士都害怕,
见它冲来,他们慌忙退缩。
26 刀剑挡不住它,
长矛、标枪、尖戟也无能为力。
27 它视铁如干草,
视铜如朽木。
28 利箭吓不跑它,
弹石在它看来只是碎秸;
29 棍棒无异于秸秆,
它嗤笑投来的标枪。
30 它腹部有锋利的瓦片,
在淤泥上留下道道耙痕。
31 它使深渊如锅翻腾,
大海如油锅滚动。
32 它游过后留下一道波光,
使深渊仿佛披上银发。
33 地上没有动物能与它相比,
像它那样无所畏惧。
34 它藐视群雄,
在高傲的百兽中称王。”
Footnotes
- 40:19 “创造主赐给它利刃”或译“只有创造主能持利刃接近它”。
Job 38-41
King James Version
38 Then the Lord answered Job out of the whirlwind, and said,
2 Who is this that darkeneth counsel by words without knowledge?
3 Gird up now thy loins like a man; for I will demand of thee, and answer thou me.
4 Where wast thou when I laid the foundations of the earth? declare, if thou hast understanding.
5 Who hath laid the measures thereof, if thou knowest? or who hath stretched the line upon it?
6 Whereupon are the foundations thereof fastened? or who laid the corner stone thereof;
7 When the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy?
8 Or who shut up the sea with doors, when it brake forth, as if it had issued out of the womb?
9 When I made the cloud the garment thereof, and thick darkness a swaddlingband for it,
10 And brake up for it my decreed place, and set bars and doors,
11 And said, Hitherto shalt thou come, but no further: and here shall thy proud waves be stayed?
12 Hast thou commanded the morning since thy days; and caused the dayspring to know his place;
13 That it might take hold of the ends of the earth, that the wicked might be shaken out of it?
14 It is turned as clay to the seal; and they stand as a garment.
15 And from the wicked their light is withholden, and the high arm shall be broken.
16 Hast thou entered into the springs of the sea? or hast thou walked in the search of the depth?
17 Have the gates of death been opened unto thee? or hast thou seen the doors of the shadow of death?
18 Hast thou perceived the breadth of the earth? declare if thou knowest it all.
19 Where is the way where light dwelleth? and as for darkness, where is the place thereof,
20 That thou shouldest take it to the bound thereof, and that thou shouldest know the paths to the house thereof?
21 Knowest thou it, because thou wast then born? or because the number of thy days is great?
22 Hast thou entered into the treasures of the snow? or hast thou seen the treasures of the hail,
23 Which I have reserved against the time of trouble, against the day of battle and war?
24 By what way is the light parted, which scattereth the east wind upon the earth?
25 Who hath divided a watercourse for the overflowing of waters, or a way for the lightning of thunder;
26 To cause it to rain on the earth, where no man is; on the wilderness, wherein there is no man;
27 To satisfy the desolate and waste ground; and to cause the bud of the tender herb to spring forth?
28 Hath the rain a father? or who hath begotten the drops of dew?
29 Out of whose womb came the ice? and the hoary frost of heaven, who hath gendered it?
30 The waters are hid as with a stone, and the face of the deep is frozen.
31 Canst thou bind the sweet influences of Pleiades, or loose the bands of Orion?
32 Canst thou bring forth Mazzaroth in his season? or canst thou guide Arcturus with his sons?
33 Knowest thou the ordinances of heaven? canst thou set the dominion thereof in the earth?
34 Canst thou lift up thy voice to the clouds, that abundance of waters may cover thee?
35 Canst thou send lightnings, that they may go and say unto thee, Here we are?
36 Who hath put wisdom in the inward parts? or who hath given understanding to the heart?
37 Who can number the clouds in wisdom? or who can stay the bottles of heaven,
38 When the dust groweth into hardness, and the clods cleave fast together?
39 Wilt thou hunt the prey for the lion? or fill the appetite of the young lions,
40 When they couch in their dens, and abide in the covert to lie in wait?
41 Who provideth for the raven his food? when his young ones cry unto God, they wander for lack of meat.
39 Knowest thou the time when the wild goats of the rock bring forth? or canst thou mark when the hinds do calve?
2 Canst thou number the months that they fulfil? or knowest thou the time when they bring forth?
3 They bow themselves, they bring forth their young ones, they cast out their sorrows.
4 Their young ones are in good liking, they grow up with corn; they go forth, and return not unto them.
5 Who hath sent out the wild ass free? or who hath loosed the bands of the wild ass?
6 Whose house I have made the wilderness, and the barren land his dwellings.
7 He scorneth the multitude of the city, neither regardeth he the crying of the driver.
8 The range of the mountains is his pasture, and he searcheth after every green thing.
9 Will the unicorn be willing to serve thee, or abide by thy crib?
10 Canst thou bind the unicorn with his band in the furrow? or will he harrow the valleys after thee?
11 Wilt thou trust him, because his strength is great? or wilt thou leave thy labour to him?
12 Wilt thou believe him, that he will bring home thy seed, and gather it into thy barn?
13 Gavest thou the goodly wings unto the peacocks? or wings and feathers unto the ostrich?
14 Which leaveth her eggs in the earth, and warmeth them in dust,
15 And forgetteth that the foot may crush them, or that the wild beast may break them.
16 She is hardened against her young ones, as though they were not her's: her labour is in vain without fear;
17 Because God hath deprived her of wisdom, neither hath he imparted to her understanding.
18 What time she lifteth up herself on high, she scorneth the horse and his rider.
19 Hast thou given the horse strength? hast thou clothed his neck with thunder?
20 Canst thou make him afraid as a grasshopper? the glory of his nostrils is terrible.
21 He paweth in the valley, and rejoiceth in his strength: he goeth on to meet the armed men.
22 He mocketh at fear, and is not affrighted; neither turneth he back from the sword.
23 The quiver rattleth against him, the glittering spear and the shield.
24 He swalloweth the ground with fierceness and rage: neither believeth he that it is the sound of the trumpet.
25 He saith among the trumpets, Ha, ha; and he smelleth the battle afar off, the thunder of the captains, and the shouting.
26 Doth the hawk fly by thy wisdom, and stretch her wings toward the south?
27 Doth the eagle mount up at thy command, and make her nest on high?
28 She dwelleth and abideth on the rock, upon the crag of the rock, and the strong place.
29 From thence she seeketh the prey, and her eyes behold afar off.
30 Her young ones also suck up blood: and where the slain are, there is she.
40 Moreover the Lord answered Job, and said,
2 Shall he that contendeth with the Almighty instruct him? he that reproveth God, let him answer it.
3 Then Job answered the Lord, and said,
4 Behold, I am vile; what shall I answer thee? I will lay mine hand upon my mouth.
5 Once have I spoken; but I will not answer: yea, twice; but I will proceed no further.
6 Then answered the Lord unto Job out of the whirlwind, and said,
7 Gird up thy loins now like a man: I will demand of thee, and declare thou unto me.
8 Wilt thou also disannul my judgment? wilt thou condemn me, that thou mayest be righteous?
9 Hast thou an arm like God? or canst thou thunder with a voice like him?
10 Deck thyself now with majesty and excellency; and array thyself with glory and beauty.
11 Cast abroad the rage of thy wrath: and behold every one that is proud, and abase him.
12 Look on every one that is proud, and bring him low; and tread down the wicked in their place.
13 Hide them in the dust together; and bind their faces in secret.
14 Then will I also confess unto thee that thine own right hand can save thee.
15 Behold now behemoth, which I made with thee; he eateth grass as an ox.
16 Lo now, his strength is in his loins, and his force is in the navel of his belly.
17 He moveth his tail like a cedar: the sinews of his stones are wrapped together.
18 His bones are as strong pieces of brass; his bones are like bars of iron.
19 He is the chief of the ways of God: he that made him can make his sword to approach unto him.
20 Surely the mountains bring him forth food, where all the beasts of the field play.
21 He lieth under the shady trees, in the covert of the reed, and fens.
22 The shady trees cover him with their shadow; the willows of the brook compass him about.
23 Behold, he drinketh up a river, and hasteth not: he trusteth that he can draw up Jordan into his mouth.
24 He taketh it with his eyes: his nose pierceth through snares.
41 Canst thou draw out leviathan with an hook? or his tongue with a cord which thou lettest down?
2 Canst thou put an hook into his nose? or bore his jaw through with a thorn?
3 Will he make many supplications unto thee? will he speak soft words unto thee?
4 Will he make a covenant with thee? wilt thou take him for a servant for ever?
5 Wilt thou play with him as with a bird? or wilt thou bind him for thy maidens?
6 Shall the companions make a banquet of him? shall they part him among the merchants?
7 Canst thou fill his skin with barbed irons? or his head with fish spears?
8 Lay thine hand upon him, remember the battle, do no more.
9 Behold, the hope of him is in vain: shall not one be cast down even at the sight of him?
10 None is so fierce that dare stir him up: who then is able to stand before me?
11 Who hath prevented me, that I should repay him? whatsoever is under the whole heaven is mine.
12 I will not conceal his parts, nor his power, nor his comely proportion.
13 Who can discover the face of his garment? or who can come to him with his double bridle?
14 Who can open the doors of his face? his teeth are terrible round about.
15 His scales are his pride, shut up together as with a close seal.
16 One is so near to another, that no air can come between them.
17 They are joined one to another, they stick together, that they cannot be sundered.
18 By his neesings a light doth shine, and his eyes are like the eyelids of the morning.
19 Out of his mouth go burning lamps, and sparks of fire leap out.
20 Out of his nostrils goeth smoke, as out of a seething pot or caldron.
21 His breath kindleth coals, and a flame goeth out of his mouth.
22 In his neck remaineth strength, and sorrow is turned into joy before him.
23 The flakes of his flesh are joined together: they are firm in themselves; they cannot be moved.
24 His heart is as firm as a stone; yea, as hard as a piece of the nether millstone.
25 When he raiseth up himself, the mighty are afraid: by reason of breakings they purify themselves.
26 The sword of him that layeth at him cannot hold: the spear, the dart, nor the habergeon.
27 He esteemeth iron as straw, and brass as rotten wood.
28 The arrow cannot make him flee: slingstones are turned with him into stubble.
29 Darts are counted as stubble: he laugheth at the shaking of a spear.
30 Sharp stones are under him: he spreadeth sharp pointed things upon the mire.
31 He maketh the deep to boil like a pot: he maketh the sea like a pot of ointment.
32 He maketh a path to shine after him; one would think the deep to be hoary.
33 Upon earth there is not his like, who is made without fear.
34 He beholdeth all high things: he is a king over all the children of pride.
Job 38-41
21st Century King James Version
38 Then the Lord answered Job out of the whirlwind, and said:
2 “Who is this that darkeneth counsel by words without knowledge?
3 Gird up now thy loins like a man; for I will demand of thee, and answer thou Me.
4 Where wast thou when I laid the foundations of the earth? Declare, if thou hast understanding.
5 Who hath laid the measures thereof, if thou knowest? Or who hath stretched the line upon it?
6 “Whereupon are the foundations thereof fastened? Or who laid the cornerstone thereof,
7 when the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy?
8 Or who shut up the sea with doors, when it broke forth as if it had issued out of the womb;
9 when I made the cloud the garment thereof and thick darkness a swaddling band for it,
10 and broke up for it My decreed place, and set bars and doors,
11 and said, ‘Hitherto shalt thou come, but no further; and here shall thy proud waves be stayed’?
12 “Hast thou commanded the morning since thy days, and caused the dayspring to know his place,
13 that it might take hold of the ends of the earth, that the wicked might be shaken out of it?
14 It is turned as clay under the seal; and they stand out as a garment.
15 And from the wicked their light is withheld, and the high arm shall be broken.
16 “Hast thou entered into the springs of the sea? Or hast thou walked in the search of the depths?
17 Have the gates of death been opened unto thee? Or hast thou seen the doors of the shadow of death?
18 Hast thou perceived the breadth of the earth? Declare if thou knowest it all.
19 “Where is the way where light dwelleth? And as for darkness, where is the place thereof,
20 that thou shouldest take it to the boundary thereof, and that thou shouldest know the paths to the house thereof?
21 Knowest thou it, because thou wast then born, or because the number of thy days is great?
22 “Hast thou entered into the treasure house of the snow, or hast thou seen the treasure house of the hail,
23 which I have reserved against the time of trouble, against the day of battle and war?
24 By what way is the light parted, which scattereth the east wind upon the earth?
25 Who hath divided a watercourse for the overflowing of waters, or a way for the lightning of thunder,
26 to cause it to rain on the earth where no man is, on the wilderness wherein there is no man;
27 to satisfy the desolate and waste ground, and to cause the bud of the tender herb to spring forth?
28 “Hath the rain a father? Or who hath begotten the drops of dew?
29 Out of whose womb came the ice? And the hoary frost of heaven, who hath engendered it?
30 The waters are hid as with a stone, and the face of the deep is frozen.
31 “Canst thou bind the sweet influences of Pleiades, or loose the bands of Orion?
32 Canst thou bring forth Mazzaroth in his season? Or canst thou guide Arcturus with his sons?
33 Knowest thou the ordinances of heaven? Canst thou set the dominion thereof over the earth?
34 “Canst thou lift up thy voice to the clouds, that abundance of waters may cover thee?
35 Canst thou send lightnings, that they may go and say unto thee, ‘Here we are’?
36 Who hath put wisdom in the inward parts, or who hath given understanding to the heart?
37 Who can number the clouds by wisdom? Or who can stay the bottles of heaven,
38 when the dust groweth into hardness, and the clods cleave fast together?
39 “Wilt thou hunt the prey for the lion, or fill the appetite of the young lions,
40 when they crouch in their dens, and abide in the covert to lie in wait?
41 Who provideth for the raven his food, when his young ones cry unto God, and wander for lack of meat?
39 “Knowest thou the time when the wild goats of the rock bring forth? Or canst thou mark when the hinds do calve?
2 Canst thou number the months that they fulfill? Or knowest thou the time when they bring forth?
3 They bow themselves, they bring forth their young ones; they cast out their sorrows.
4 Their young ones are sturdy; they grow up with corn; they go forth and return not unto them.
5 “Who hath sent out the wild ass free? Or who hath loosed the bands of the wild ass,
6 whose house I have made the wilderness and the barren land his dwellings?
7 He scorneth the multitude of the city, neither regardeth he the crying of the driver.
8 The range of the mountains is his pasture, and he searcheth after every green thing.
9 Will the unicorn be willing to serve thee, or abide by thy crib?
10 Canst thou bind the unicorn with his band to the furrow? Or will he harrow the valleys behind thee?
11 Wilt thou trust him because his strength is great? Or wilt thou leave thy labor to him?
12 Wilt thou believe him, that he will bring home the seed and gather it into thy barn?
13 “Gavest thou the goodly wings unto the peacocks? Or wings and feathers unto the ostrich,
14 which leaveth her eggs in the earth, and warmeth them in dust,
15 and forgetteth that the foot may crush them, or that the wild beast may break them?
16 She is hardened against her young ones, as though they were not hers; her labor is in vain without fear;
17 because God hath deprived her of wisdom, neither hath He imparted to her understanding.
18 Yet when she lifteth up herself on high, she scorneth the horse and his rider.
19 “Hast thou given the horse strength? Hast thou clothed his neck with thunder?
20 Canst thou make him afraid as a grasshopper? The glory of his nostrils is terrible.
21 He paweth in the valley, and rejoiceth in his strength; he goeth on to meet the armed men.
22 He mocketh at fear, and is not frightened, neither turneth he back from the sword.
23 The quiver rattleth against him, the glittering spear and the shield.
24 He swalloweth the ground with fierceness and rage, neither believeth he that it is the sound of the trumpet.
25 He saith among the trumpets, ‘Ha, ha!’ And he smelleth the battle afar off, the thunder of the captains, and the shouting.
26 “Doth the hawk fly by thy wisdom, and stretch her wings toward the south?
27 Doth the eagle mount up at thy command, and make her nest on high?
28 She dwelleth and abideth on the rock, upon the crag of the rock and the strong place.
29 From thence she seeketh the prey, and her eyes behold afar off.
30 Her young ones also suck up blood; and where the slain are, there is she.”
40 Moreover the Lord answered Job and said:
2 “Shall he that contendeth with the Almighty instruct Him? He that reproveth God, let him answer it.”
3 Then Job answered the Lord and said:
4 “Behold, I am vile. What shall I answer Thee? I will lay mine hand upon my mouth.
5 Once have I spoken, but I will not answer; yea, twice, but I will proceed no further.”
6 Then answered the Lord unto Job out of the whirlwind and said:
7 “Gird up thy loins now like a man; I will demand of thee, and declare thou unto Me.
8 Wilt thou also disannul My judgment? Wilt thou condemn Me, that thou mayest be righteous?
9 Hast thou an arm like God? Or canst thou thunder with a voice like Him?
10 “Deck thyself now with majesty and excellency; and array thyself with glory and beauty.
11 Cast abroad the rage of thy wrath; and behold every one that is proud, and abase him.
12 Look on every one that is proud, and bring him low; and tread down the wicked in their place.
13 Hide them in the dust together; and bind their faces in secret.
14 Then will I also confess unto thee that thine own right hand can save thee.
15 “Behold now Behemoth, which I made with thee; he eateth grass as an ox.
16 Lo now, his strength is in his loins, and his force is in the navel of his belly.
17 He moveth his tail like a cedar; the sinews of his stones are wrapped together.
18 His bones are as strong pieces of brass; his bones are like bars of iron.
19 He is the chief of the ways of God; He that made him can make His sword to approach unto him.
20 Surely the mountains bring him forth food, where all the beasts of the field play.
21 He lieth under the shady trees, in the covert of the reed and fens.
22 The shady trees cover him with their shadow; the willows of the brook compass him about.
23 Behold, he drinketh up a river and hasteneth not; he trusteth that he can draw up the Jordan into his mouth.
24 Will any take him with his sight, or bore his nose with a snare?
41 “Canst thou draw out Leviathan with a hook? Or his tongue with a cord which thou lettest down?
2 Canst thou put a hook into his nose, or bore his jaw through with a thorn?
3 Will he make many supplications unto thee? Will he speak soft words unto thee?
4 Will he make a covenant with thee? Wilt thou take him as a servant for ever?
5 Wilt thou play with him as with a bird? Or wilt thou bind him for thy maidens?
6 Shall the companions make a banquet of him? Shall they parcel him among the merchants?
7 Canst thou fill his skin with barbed irons, or his head with fish spears?
8 Lay thine hand upon him; remember the battle, and do so no more!
9 Behold, the hope against him is in vain. Shall not one be cast down even at the sight of him?
10 None is so fierce that dare stir him up. Who then is able to stand before Me?
11 Who hath come before Me, that I should repay him? Whatsoever is under the whole heaven is Mine.
12 “I will not conceal his parts, nor his power, nor his comely proportion.
13 Who can uncover the face of his garment? Or who can come to him with his double bridle?
14 Who can open the doors of his face? His teeth are terrible round about.
15 His scales are his pride, shut up together as with a tight seal.
16 One is so near to another that no air can come between them.
17 They are joined one to another; they stick together, that they cannot be sundered.
18 By his sneezings a light doth shine, and his eyes are like the eyelids of the morning.
19 Out of his mouth go burning lamps, and sparks of fire leap out.
20 Out of his nostrils goeth smoke, as out of a seething pot or caldron.
21 His breath kindleth coals, and a flame goeth out of his mouth.
22 In his neck remaineth strength, and sorrow is turned into joy before him.
23 The folds of his flesh are joined together; they are firm in themselves; they cannot be moved.
24 His heart is as firm as a stone, yea, as hard as a piece of the nether millstone.
25 When he raiseth up himself, the mighty are afraid; by reason of breakings they purify themselves.
26 The sword of him that layeth at him cannot hold the spear, the dart, nor the breastplate.
27 He esteemeth iron as straw, and brass as rotten wood.
28 The arrow cannot make him flee; slingstones are turned by him into stubble.
29 Darts are counted as stubble; he laugheth at the shaking of a spear.
30 Sharp potsherds are his undersides; he spreadeth sharp pointed things upon the mire.
31 He maketh the deep to boil like a pot; he maketh the sea like a pot of ointment.
32 He maketh a path to shine after him; one would think the deep to be hoary.
33 Upon earth there is not his like, who is made without fear.
34 He beholdeth all high things; he is a king over all the children of pride.”
Job 38-41
New International Version
The Lord Speaks
38 Then the Lord spoke to Job(A) out of the storm.(B) He said:
2 “Who is this that obscures my plans(C)
with words without knowledge?(D)
3 Brace yourself like a man;
I will question you,
and you shall answer me.(E)
4 “Where were you when I laid the earth’s foundation?(F)
Tell me, if you understand.(G)
5 Who marked off its dimensions?(H) Surely you know!
Who stretched a measuring line(I) across it?
6 On what were its footings set,(J)
or who laid its cornerstone(K)—
7 while the morning stars(L) sang together(M)
and all the angels[a](N) shouted for joy?(O)
8 “Who shut up the sea behind doors(P)
when it burst forth from the womb,(Q)
9 when I made the clouds its garment
and wrapped it in thick darkness,(R)
10 when I fixed limits for it(S)
and set its doors and bars in place,(T)
11 when I said, ‘This far you may come and no farther;(U)
here is where your proud waves halt’?(V)
12 “Have you ever given orders to the morning,(W)
or shown the dawn its place,(X)
13 that it might take the earth by the edges
and shake the wicked(Y) out of it?(Z)
14 The earth takes shape like clay under a seal;(AA)
its features stand out like those of a garment.
15 The wicked are denied their light,(AB)
and their upraised arm is broken.(AC)
16 “Have you journeyed to the springs of the sea
or walked in the recesses of the deep?(AD)
17 Have the gates of death(AE) been shown to you?
Have you seen the gates of the deepest darkness?(AF)
18 Have you comprehended the vast expanses of the earth?(AG)
Tell me, if you know all this.(AH)
19 “What is the way to the abode of light?
And where does darkness reside?(AI)
20 Can you take them to their places?
Do you know the paths(AJ) to their dwellings?
21 Surely you know, for you were already born!(AK)
You have lived so many years!
22 “Have you entered the storehouses of the snow(AL)
or seen the storehouses(AM) of the hail,(AN)
23 which I reserve for times of trouble,(AO)
for days of war and battle?(AP)
24 What is the way to the place where the lightning is dispersed,(AQ)
or the place where the east winds(AR) are scattered over the earth?(AS)
25 Who cuts a channel for the torrents of rain,
and a path for the thunderstorm,(AT)
26 to water(AU) a land where no one lives,
an uninhabited desert,(AV)
27 to satisfy a desolate wasteland
and make it sprout with grass?(AW)
28 Does the rain have a father?(AX)
Who fathers the drops of dew?
29 From whose womb comes the ice?
Who gives birth to the frost from the heavens(AY)
30 when the waters become hard as stone,
when the surface of the deep is frozen?(AZ)
31 “Can you bind the chains[b] of the Pleiades?
Can you loosen Orion’s belt?(BA)
32 Can you bring forth the constellations(BB) in their seasons[c]
or lead out the Bear[d] with its cubs?(BC)
33 Do you know the laws(BD) of the heavens?(BE)
Can you set up God’s[e] dominion over the earth?
34 “Can you raise your voice to the clouds
and cover yourself with a flood of water?(BF)
35 Do you send the lightning bolts on their way?(BG)
Do they report to you, ‘Here we are’?
36 Who gives the ibis wisdom[f](BH)
or gives the rooster understanding?[g](BI)
37 Who has the wisdom to count the clouds?
Who can tip over the water jars(BJ) of the heavens(BK)
38 when the dust becomes hard(BL)
and the clods of earth stick together?(BM)
39 “Do you hunt the prey for the lioness
and satisfy the hunger of the lions(BN)
40 when they crouch in their dens(BO)
or lie in wait in a thicket?(BP)
41 Who provides food(BQ) for the raven(BR)
when its young cry out to God
and wander about for lack of food?(BS)
39 “Do you know when the mountain goats(BT) give birth?
Do you watch when the doe bears her fawn?(BU)
2 Do you count the months till they bear?
Do you know the time they give birth?(BV)
3 They crouch down and bring forth their young;
their labor pains are ended.
4 Their young thrive and grow strong in the wilds;
they leave and do not return.
5 “Who let the wild donkey(BW) go free?
Who untied its ropes?
6 I gave it the wasteland(BX) as its home,
the salt flats(BY) as its habitat.(BZ)
7 It laughs(CA) at the commotion in the town;
it does not hear a driver’s shout.(CB)
8 It ranges the hills(CC) for its pasture
and searches for any green thing.
9 “Will the wild ox(CD) consent to serve you?(CE)
Will it stay by your manger(CF) at night?
10 Can you hold it to the furrow with a harness?(CG)
Will it till the valleys behind you?
11 Will you rely on it for its great strength?(CH)
Will you leave your heavy work to it?
12 Can you trust it to haul in your grain
and bring it to your threshing floor?
13 “The wings of the ostrich flap joyfully,
though they cannot compare
with the wings and feathers of the stork.(CI)
14 She lays her eggs on the ground
and lets them warm in the sand,
15 unmindful that a foot may crush them,
that some wild animal may trample them.(CJ)
16 She treats her young harshly,(CK) as if they were not hers;
she cares not that her labor was in vain,
17 for God did not endow her with wisdom
or give her a share of good sense.(CL)
18 Yet when she spreads her feathers to run,
she laughs(CM) at horse and rider.
19 “Do you give the horse its strength(CN)
or clothe its neck with a flowing mane?
20 Do you make it leap like a locust,(CO)
striking terror(CP) with its proud snorting?(CQ)
21 It paws fiercely, rejoicing in its strength,(CR)
and charges into the fray.(CS)
22 It laughs(CT) at fear, afraid of nothing;
it does not shy away from the sword.
23 The quiver(CU) rattles against its side,
along with the flashing spear(CV) and lance.
24 In frenzied excitement it eats up the ground;
it cannot stand still when the trumpet sounds.(CW)
25 At the blast of the trumpet(CX) it snorts, ‘Aha!’
It catches the scent of battle from afar,
the shout of commanders and the battle cry.(CY)
26 “Does the hawk take flight by your wisdom
and spread its wings toward the south?(CZ)
27 Does the eagle soar at your command
and build its nest on high?(DA)
28 It dwells on a cliff and stays there at night;
a rocky crag(DB) is its stronghold.
29 From there it looks for food;(DC)
its eyes detect it from afar.
30 Its young ones feast on blood,
and where the slain are, there it is.”(DD)
40 The Lord said to Job:(DE)
2 “Will the one who contends with the Almighty(DF) correct him?(DG)
Let him who accuses God answer him!”(DH)
3 Then Job answered the Lord:
4 “I am unworthy(DI)—how can I reply to you?
I put my hand over my mouth.(DJ)
5 I spoke once, but I have no answer(DK)—
twice, but I will say no more.”(DL)
6 Then the Lord spoke to Job out of the storm:(DM)
7 “Brace yourself like a man;
I will question you,
and you shall answer me.(DN)
8 “Would you discredit my justice?(DO)
Would you condemn me to justify yourself?(DP)
9 Do you have an arm like God’s,(DQ)
and can your voice(DR) thunder like his?(DS)
10 Then adorn yourself with glory and splendor,
and clothe yourself in honor and majesty.(DT)
11 Unleash the fury of your wrath,(DU)
look at all who are proud and bring them low,(DV)
12 look at all who are proud(DW) and humble them,(DX)
crush(DY) the wicked where they stand.
13 Bury them all in the dust together;(DZ)
shroud their faces in the grave.(EA)
14 Then I myself will admit to you
that your own right hand can save you.(EB)
15 “Look at Behemoth,
which I made(EC) along with you
and which feeds on grass like an ox.(ED)
16 What strength(EE) it has in its loins,
what power in the muscles of its belly!(EF)
17 Its tail sways like a cedar;
the sinews of its thighs are close-knit.(EG)
18 Its bones are tubes of bronze,
its limbs(EH) like rods of iron.(EI)
19 It ranks first among the works of God,(EJ)
yet its Maker(EK) can approach it with his sword.(EL)
20 The hills bring it their produce,(EM)
and all the wild animals play(EN) nearby.(EO)
21 Under the lotus plants it lies,
hidden among the reeds(EP) in the marsh.(EQ)
22 The lotuses conceal it in their shadow;
the poplars by the stream(ER) surround it.
23 A raging river(ES) does not alarm it;
it is secure, though the Jordan(ET) should surge against its mouth.
24 Can anyone capture it by the eyes,
or trap it and pierce its nose?(EU)
41 [h]“Can you pull in Leviathan(EV) with a fishhook(EW)
or tie down its tongue with a rope?
2 Can you put a cord through its nose(EX)
or pierce its jaw with a hook?(EY)
3 Will it keep begging you for mercy?(EZ)
Will it speak to you with gentle words?
4 Will it make an agreement with you
for you to take it as your slave for life?(FA)
5 Can you make a pet of it like a bird
or put it on a leash for the young women in your house?
6 Will traders barter for it?
Will they divide it up among the merchants?
7 Can you fill its hide with harpoons
or its head with fishing spears?(FB)
8 If you lay a hand on it,
you will remember the struggle and never do it again!(FC)
9 Any hope of subduing it is false;
the mere sight of it is overpowering.(FD)
10 No one is fierce enough to rouse it.(FE)
Who then is able to stand against me?(FF)
11 Who has a claim against me that I must pay?(FG)
Everything under heaven belongs to me.(FH)
12 “I will not fail to speak of Leviathan’s limbs,(FI)
its strength(FJ) and its graceful form.
13 Who can strip off its outer coat?
Who can penetrate its double coat of armor[i]?(FK)
14 Who dares open the doors of its mouth,(FL)
ringed about with fearsome teeth?
15 Its back has[j] rows of shields
tightly sealed together;(FM)
16 each is so close to the next
that no air can pass between.
17 They are joined fast to one another;
they cling together and cannot be parted.
18 Its snorting throws out flashes of light;
its eyes are like the rays of dawn.(FN)
19 Flames(FO) stream from its mouth;
sparks of fire shoot out.
20 Smoke pours from its nostrils(FP)
as from a boiling pot over burning reeds.
21 Its breath(FQ) sets coals ablaze,
and flames dart from its mouth.(FR)
22 Strength(FS) resides in its neck;
dismay goes before it.
23 The folds of its flesh are tightly joined;
they are firm and immovable.
24 Its chest is hard as rock,
hard as a lower millstone.(FT)
25 When it rises up, the mighty are terrified;(FU)
they retreat before its thrashing.(FV)
26 The sword that reaches it has no effect,
nor does the spear or the dart or the javelin.(FW)
27 Iron it treats like straw(FX)
and bronze like rotten wood.
28 Arrows do not make it flee;(FY)
slingstones are like chaff to it.
29 A club seems to it but a piece of straw;(FZ)
it laughs(GA) at the rattling of the lance.
30 Its undersides are jagged potsherds,
leaving a trail in the mud like a threshing sledge.(GB)
31 It makes the depths churn like a boiling caldron(GC)
and stirs up the sea like a pot of ointment.(GD)
32 It leaves a glistening wake behind it;
one would think the deep had white hair.
33 Nothing on earth is its equal(GE)—
a creature without fear.
34 It looks down on all that are haughty;(GF)
it is king over all that are proud.(GG)”
Footnotes
- Job 38:7 Hebrew the sons of God
- Job 38:31 Septuagint; Hebrew beauty
- Job 38:32 Or the morning star in its season
- Job 38:32 Or out Leo
- Job 38:33 Or their
- Job 38:36 That is, wisdom about the flooding of the Nile
- Job 38:36 That is, understanding of when to crow; the meaning of the Hebrew for this verse is uncertain.
- Job 41:1 In Hebrew texts 41:1-8 is numbered 40:25-32, and 41:9-34 is numbered 41:1-26.
- Job 41:13 Septuagint; Hebrew double bridle
- Job 41:15 Or Its pride is its
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