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.

¹⁶ “Have you ^(R)entered into the springs of the sea,
    or walked in the recesses of the deep?
¹⁷ Have ^(S)the gates of death been revealed to you,
    or have you seen the gates of ^(T)deep darkness?
¹⁸ Have you comprehended the expanse of the earth?
    Declare, if you know all this.

¹⁹ “Where is the way to the dwelling of light,
    and where is the place of darkness,
²⁰ that you may take it to its territory
    and that you may discern ^(U)the paths to its home?
²¹ You know, for ^(V)you were born then,
    and the number of your days is great!