Job 38:4-18

English Standard Version

⁴ “Where were you when I ^(A)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 ^(B)sang together
    and all ^(C)the sons of God ^(D)shouted for joy?

⁸ “Or who ^(E)shut in the sea with doors
    when it burst out from the womb,
⁹ when I made clouds its garment
    and ^(F)thick darkness its swaddling band,
¹⁰ and prescribed ^(G)limits for it
    and set bars and doors,
¹¹ and said, ‘Thus far shall you come, and no farther,
    and here shall your ^(H)proud waves be stayed’?

¹² “Have you ^(I)commanded the morning since your days began,
    and caused the dawn to know its place,
¹³ that it might take hold of ^(J)the skirts of the earth,
    and the wicked be ^(K)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 ^(L)light is withheld,
    and ^(M)their uplifted arm is broken.

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