Add parallel Print Page Options

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)

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. 38.7 Heb sons of God

38 Then the Lord answered Job out of the whirlwind, and said,

Who is this that darkeneth counsel by words without knowledge?

Gird up now thy loins like a man; for I will demand of thee, and answer thou me.

Where wast thou when I laid the foundations of the earth? declare, if thou hast understanding.

Who hath laid the measures thereof, if thou knowest? or who hath stretched the line upon it?

Whereupon are the foundations thereof fastened? or who laid the corner stone thereof;

When the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy?

Read full chapter

The Lord Answers Job

38 Then out of the storm the Lord spoke to Job.

The Lord

Who are you to question my wisdom
    with your ignorant, empty words?
Now stand up straight
    and answer the questions I ask you.
Were you there when I made the world?
    If you know so much, tell me about it.
Who decided how large it would be?
    Who stretched the measuring line over it?
    Do you know all the answers?
What holds up the pillars that support the earth?
    Who laid the cornerstone of the world?
(A)In the dawn of that day the stars sang together,
    and the heavenly beings[a] shouted for joy.

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. Job 38:7 See 1.6.

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)

Read full chapter

Footnotes

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

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.

Read full chapter

34 Can you shout orders to the clouds
    and make them drench you with rain?
35 And if you command the lightning to flash,
    will it come to you and say, “At your service”?
36 Who tells the ibis[a] when the Nile will flood,
    or who tells the rooster that rain will fall?[b]
37 Who is wise enough to count the clouds
    and tilt them over to pour out the rain,
38     rain that hardens the dust into lumps?

39 Do you find food for lions to eat,
    and satisfy hungry young lions
40     when they hide in their caves,
    or lie in wait in their dens?
41 Who is it that feeds the ravens
    when they wander about hungry,
    when their young cry to me for food?

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. Job 38:36 A bird in ancient Egypt that was believed to announce the flooding of the Nile River.
  2. Job 38:36 Verse 36 in Hebrew is unclear.