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The Lord Answers Job

38 Then the Lord answered Job out of the whirlwind:(A)

“Who is this that darkens counsel by words without knowledge?(B)
Gird up your loins like a man;
    I will question you, and you shall declare to me.(C)

“Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth?
    Tell me, if you have understanding.(D)
Who determined its measurements—surely you know!
    Or who stretched the line upon it?
On what were its bases sunk,
    or who laid its cornerstone(E)
when the morning stars sang together
    and all the heavenly beings[a] shouted for joy?(F)

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Footnotes

  1. 38.7 Heb sons of God

The Lord Speaks

38 Then the Lord spoke to Job(A) out of the storm.(B) He said:

“Who is this that obscures my plans(C)
    with words without knowledge?(D)
Brace yourself like a man;
    I will question you,
    and you shall answer me.(E)

“Where were you when I laid the earth’s foundation?(F)
    Tell me, if you understand.(G)
Who marked off its dimensions?(H) Surely you know!
    Who stretched a measuring line(I) across it?
On what were its footings set,(J)
    or who laid its cornerstone(K)
while the morning stars(L) sang together(M)
    and all the angels[a](N) shouted for joy?(O)

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Footnotes

  1. Job 38:7 Hebrew the sons of God

34 “Can you lift up your voice to the clouds,
    so that a flood of waters may cover you?(A)
35 Can you send forth lightnings, so that they may go
    and say to you, ‘Here we are’?(B)
36 Who has put wisdom in the inward parts[a]
    or given understanding to the mind?[b](C)
37 Who has the wisdom to number the clouds?
    Or who can tilt the waterskins of the heavens
38 when the dust runs into a mass
    and the clods cling together?

39 “Can you hunt the prey for the lion
    or satisfy the appetite of the young lions,(D)
40 when they crouch in their dens
    or lie in wait in their covert?(E)
41 Who provides for the raven its prey,
    when its young ones cry to God
    and wander about for lack of food?(F)

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Footnotes

  1. 38.36 Meaning of Heb uncertain
  2. 38.36 Meaning of Heb uncertain

34 “Can you raise your voice to the clouds
    and cover yourself with a flood of water?(A)
35 Do you send the lightning bolts on their way?(B)
    Do they report to you, ‘Here we are’?
36 Who gives the ibis wisdom[a](C)
    or gives the rooster understanding?[b](D)
37 Who has the wisdom to count the clouds?
    Who can tip over the water jars(E) of the heavens(F)
38 when the dust becomes hard(G)
    and the clods of earth stick together?(H)

39 “Do you hunt the prey for the lioness
    and satisfy the hunger of the lions(I)
40 when they crouch in their dens(J)
    or lie in wait in a thicket?(K)
41 Who provides food(L) for the raven(M)
    when its young cry out to God
    and wander about for lack of food?(N)

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Footnotes

  1. Job 38:36 That is, wisdom about the flooding of the Nile
  2. Job 38:36 That is, understanding of when to crow; the meaning of the Hebrew for this verse is uncertain.