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约伯记 37-39
Chinese New Version (Simplified)
约伯记 37-39
Chinese New Version (Simplified)
述说 神的威荣与作为
37 “我的心因此战兢，
跳离原处。
2 你们当细听他轰轰的声音，
他口中发出隆隆的雷声。
3 他发雷声响遍天下，
也发电光闪到地极。
4 接着雷声霹雳，
神以自己威严之声打雷，
人听到雷声的时候，
神并没有留住风霜雨云（“风霜雨云”直译是“它们”）。
5 神以奇妙的方法打雷，
他行大事，我们不能了解。
6 他对雪说：‘降在地上’，
对大雨暴雨也是这样。
7 他封住各人的手，
叫万人知道他的作为。
8 野兽进入洞中，
留在穴里。
9 风暴来自南宫，
寒冷出于北方。
10 神所呼的气息结成冰，
广阔无边的水也凝结；
11 他使密云满载水气，
云彩布散他的电光。
12 电光照着 神的指引来往旋转，
在地球上行他一切所吩咐的。
13 他使电光来临，是为施行责罚，
或为滋润大地，或为赐予慈爱。
14 约伯啊！你当留心听这话，
要站立思想 神奇妙的事。
15 神怎样吩咐这些，
又怎样使云中的电光照耀，你知道吗？
16 密云怎样浮于空中，
那知识全备者奇妙的作为，你知道吗？
17 地因南风而寂静的时候，
你的衣服怎样热起来，你知道吗？
18 你能与 神同铺云天吗？
这云天坚硬如铸成的镜子。
19 我们因愚昧无知的缘故，不能陈明我们的案件，
请你告诉我们应该对他说甚么话。
20 人怎能对他说：‘我要说话’？
哪有人自愿灭亡呢？
21 人不能看见云后的强光，
唯有经风一吹，天才晴朗。
22 金光来自北方，
在 神的周围有可怕的威严。
23 论到全能者，我们无法把他查出；
他大有能力与公平，
又满有公义，他必不苦待人。
24 因此人人都应该敬畏他；
心中自以为有智慧的，
他都不看顾。”
神发言，回答约伯
38 那时，耶和华在旋风中回答约伯，说：
2 “这以无知无识的言语，
使我的旨意暗晦不明的是谁呢？
3 现在你要如勇士束腰，
我要问你，你要告诉我。
以创造的奇妙质问约伯
4 我奠定大地根基的时候，你在哪里呢？
你若有聪明，就只管说吧。
5 你一定晓得是谁定大地的尺度，
是谁把准绳拉在大地之上？
6 地的基础奠在哪里，
地的角石是谁安放的？
7 那时晨星一起歌唱，
神的众子也都欢呼。
8 海水冲出如婴孩出母胎，
那时谁用门把海水关闭呢？
9 是我以云彩当作海的衣服，
以幽暗当作包裹海的布；
10 我为海定界限，
又安置门闩和门户，
11 说：‘你只可到这里，不可越过，
你狂傲的波浪要在这里止住。’
12 自你有生以来，你何曾吩咐过晨光照耀，
使黎明的曙光知道自己的本位，
13 叫这光照遍大地的四极，
把恶人从那里抖掉呢？
14 因着这光，地面改变如在泥上盖上印，
万象显出如衣服一样。
15 恶人必得不到亮光，
高举的膀臂必被折断。
16 你曾到过海的泉源，
在深渊的底处行走过吗？
17 死亡的门曾向你显露吗？
死荫的门你曾见过吗？
18 地的广阔，你明白吗？
你若完全知道，就只管说吧。
19 哪条是到光明居所的道路？
黑暗的本位在哪里？
20 你能把光与暗带到它们的境地吗？
你晓得通到它们居所的路吗？
21 你是知道的，因为那时你已经出生了，
你一生的日数也很多。
22 你曾入过雪库，
或见过雹仓吗？
23 这些雪雹是我为降患难的时候，
为打仗和争战的日子所存留的。
24 光从哪条路散开，
东风从哪里分散在地上？
25 谁为大雨分水道，
谁为雷电定道路？
26 使雨降在无人之地，
落在无人居住的旷野，
27 使荒废之地得着滋润，
使青草在干旱之地得以长起来呢？
28 雨有父亲吗？
露珠是谁生的呢？
29 冰出自谁的胎？
天上的霜是谁所生的呢？
30 众水坚硬如石头，
深渊的表面冻结成冰。
31 你能系住昴星的结吗？
你能解开参星的带吗？
32 你能按时领出玛查鲁夫星系吗？
你能引导北斗和随从它的众星吗？
33 你晓得天的定例吗？
你能在地上建立天的权威吗？
34 你能向密云扬声吗？
你能使洪水淹没你吗？
35 你能差派闪电，闪电就发出，
并且对你说：‘我们在这里’吗？
36 谁把智慧放在怀里，
或把聪明赐于人的心中？
37 尘土融合成团，
土块黏结在一起的时候，
38 谁能凭智慧数算云天呢？
谁能把天上的水袋倾倒呢？
39 狮子在洞中蹲伏，
在藏身之处躺卧埋伏的时候，
40 你能为母狮猎取食物吗？
你能使食欲饱足吗？
41 乌鸦雏鸟因缺乏食物飞来飞去，
向 神哀求的时候，
谁为乌鸦预备食物呢？”
以动物的生态质问约伯
39 “山岩间的野山羊的产期你能晓得吗？
母鹿下犊之期你能察出吗？
2 牠们怀胎的月数你能计算吗？
牠们生产的日期你能晓得吗？
3 牠们屈身，把子产下，
就除掉生产的疼痛。
4 幼雏渐渐健壮，在荒野长大，
牠们一离群出去，就不再返回。
5 谁放野驴自由出去呢？
谁解开快驴的绳索呢？
6 我使原野作牠的家，
使咸地作牠的居所。
7 牠嗤笑城里的喧哗，
不听赶野驴的呼喝声；
8 牠探索群山作牠的草场，
寻觅各样青绿的东西。
9 野牛怎肯作你的仆人，
或在你的槽旁过夜呢？
10 你怎能用套绳把野牛系在犁沟呢？
牠怎肯跟着你耙山谷之地呢？
11 你怎能因牠的力大就倚赖牠？
怎能把你所作的交给牠作呢？
12 怎能信任牠能把你的粮食运回来；
又收聚你禾场上的谷粒呢？
13 鸵鸟的翅膀欣然鼓动，
但牠的翎毛和羽毛哪有慈爱呢？
14 牠把蛋都留在地上，
使它们在土里得温暖，
15 牠却忘记了人的脚可以把蛋踩碎，
野地的走兽会把蛋践踏。
16 牠苛待幼雏，看牠们好象不是自己生的，
就算牠的劳苦白费了，也漠不关心，
17 因为 神使牠忘记了智慧，
也没有把聪明分给牠。
18 牠挺身鼓翼奔跑的时候，
就讥笑马和骑马的人。
19 马的大力是你所赐的吗？
牠颈上的鬃毛是你披上的吗？
20 是你使牠跳跃像蝗虫吗？
牠喷气之威使人惊惶。
21 牠在谷中扒地，以己力为乐，
牠出去迎战手持武器的人。
22 牠讥笑可怕的事，并不惊慌，
也不在刀剑的面前退缩。
23 箭袋、闪烁的矛与枪，
都在牠的身上铮铮有声。
24 牠震抖激动，驰骋大地，
一听见角声，就不能站定。
25 角声一响，牠就说‘呵哈’，
牠从远处闻到战争的气味，
又听见军长的雷声和战争的吶喊。
26 鹰鸟飞翔，展翅南飞，
是因着你的聪明吗？
27 大鹰上腾，在高处筑巢，
是听你的吩咐吗？
28 牠住在山岩之上，
栖息在岩崖与坚固所在之上，
29 从那里窥看猎物，
牠们的眼睛可以从远处观望。
30 牠的幼雏也都吮血；
被杀的人在哪里，鹰也在哪里。”
Job 37-39
New International Version
Job 37-39
New International Version
37 “At this my heart pounds(A)
and leaps from its place.
2 Listen!(B) Listen to the roar of his voice,(C)
to the rumbling that comes from his mouth.(D)
3 He unleashes his lightning(E) beneath the whole heaven
and sends it to the ends of the earth.(F)
4 After that comes the sound of his roar;
he thunders(G) with his majestic voice.(H)
When his voice resounds,
he holds nothing back.
5 God’s voice thunders(I) in marvelous ways;(J)
he does great things beyond our understanding.(K)
6 He says to the snow,(L) ‘Fall on the earth,’
and to the rain shower, ‘Be a mighty downpour.’(M)
7 So that everyone he has made may know his work,(N)
he stops all people from their labor.[a](O)
8 The animals take cover;(P)
they remain in their dens.(Q)
9 The tempest comes out from its chamber,(R)
the cold from the driving winds.(S)
10 The breath of God produces ice,
and the broad waters become frozen.(T)
11 He loads the clouds with moisture;(U)
he scatters his lightning(V) through them.(W)
12 At his direction they swirl around
over the face of the whole earth
to do whatever he commands them.(X)
13 He brings the clouds to punish people,(Y)
or to water his earth and show his love.(Z)
14 “Listen(AA) to this, Job;
stop and consider God’s wonders.(AB)
15 Do you know how God controls the clouds
and makes his lightning(AC) flash?(AD)
16 Do you know how the clouds hang poised,(AE)
those wonders of him who has perfect knowledge?(AF)
17 You who swelter in your clothes
when the land lies hushed under the south wind,(AG)
18 can you join him in spreading out the skies,(AH)
hard as a mirror of cast bronze?(AI)
19 “Tell us what we should say to him;(AJ)
we cannot draw up our case(AK) because of our darkness.(AL)
20 Should he be told that I want to speak?
Would anyone ask to be swallowed up?
21 Now no one can look at the sun,(AM)
bright as it is in the skies
after the wind has swept them clean.
22 Out of the north he comes in golden splendor;(AN)
God comes in awesome majesty.(AO)
23 The Almighty is beyond our reach and exalted in power;(AP)
in his justice(AQ) and great righteousness, he does not oppress.(AR)
24 Therefore, people revere him,(AS)
for does he not have regard for all the wise(AT) in heart?[b]”
The Lord Speaks
38 Then the Lord spoke to Job(AU) out of the storm.(AV) He said:
2 “Who is this that obscures my plans(AW)
with words without knowledge?(AX)
3 Brace yourself like a man;
I will question you,
and you shall answer me.(AY)
4 “Where were you when I laid the earth’s foundation?(AZ)
Tell me, if you understand.(BA)
5 Who marked off its dimensions?(BB) Surely you know!
Who stretched a measuring line(BC) across it?
6 On what were its footings set,(BD)
or who laid its cornerstone(BE)—
7 while the morning stars(BF) sang together(BG)
and all the angels[c](BH) shouted for joy?(BI)
8 “Who shut up the sea behind doors(BJ)
when it burst forth from the womb,(BK)
9 when I made the clouds its garment
and wrapped it in thick darkness,(BL)
10 when I fixed limits for it(BM)
and set its doors and bars in place,(BN)
11 when I said, ‘This far you may come and no farther;(BO)
here is where your proud waves halt’?(BP)
12 “Have you ever given orders to the morning,(BQ)
or shown the dawn its place,(BR)
13 that it might take the earth by the edges
and shake the wicked(BS) out of it?(BT)
14 The earth takes shape like clay under a seal;(BU)
its features stand out like those of a garment.
15 The wicked are denied their light,(BV)
and their upraised arm is broken.(BW)
16 “Have you journeyed to the springs of the sea
or walked in the recesses of the deep?(BX)
17 Have the gates of death(BY) been shown to you?
Have you seen the gates of the deepest darkness?(BZ)
18 Have you comprehended the vast expanses of the earth?(CA)
Tell me, if you know all this.(CB)
19 “What is the way to the abode of light?
And where does darkness reside?(CC)
20 Can you take them to their places?
Do you know the paths(CD) to their dwellings?
21 Surely you know, for you were already born!(CE)
You have lived so many years!
22 “Have you entered the storehouses of the snow(CF)
or seen the storehouses(CG) of the hail,(CH)
23 which I reserve for times of trouble,(CI)
for days of war and battle?(CJ)
24 What is the way to the place where the lightning is dispersed,(CK)
or the place where the east winds(CL) are scattered over the earth?(CM)
25 Who cuts a channel for the torrents of rain,
and a path for the thunderstorm,(CN)
26 to water(CO) a land where no one lives,
an uninhabited desert,(CP)
27 to satisfy a desolate wasteland
and make it sprout with grass?(CQ)
28 Does the rain have a father?(CR)
Who fathers the drops of dew?
29 From whose womb comes the ice?
Who gives birth to the frost from the heavens(CS)
30 when the waters become hard as stone,
when the surface of the deep is frozen?(CT)
31 “Can you bind the chains[d] of the Pleiades?
Can you loosen Orion’s belt?(CU)
32 Can you bring forth the constellations(CV) in their seasons[e]
or lead out the Bear[f] with its cubs?(CW)
33 Do you know the laws(CX) of the heavens?(CY)
Can you set up God’s[g] dominion over the earth?
34 “Can you raise your voice to the clouds
and cover yourself with a flood of water?(CZ)
35 Do you send the lightning bolts on their way?(DA)
Do they report to you, ‘Here we are’?
36 Who gives the ibis wisdom[h](DB)
or gives the rooster understanding?[i](DC)
37 Who has the wisdom to count the clouds?
Who can tip over the water jars(DD) of the heavens(DE)
38 when the dust becomes hard(DF)
and the clods of earth stick together?(DG)
39 “Do you hunt the prey for the lioness
and satisfy the hunger of the lions(DH)
40 when they crouch in their dens(DI)
or lie in wait in a thicket?(DJ)
41 Who provides food(DK) for the raven(DL)
when its young cry out to God
and wander about for lack of food?(DM)
39 “Do you know when the mountain goats(DN) give birth?
Do you watch when the doe bears her fawn?(DO)
2 Do you count the months till they bear?
Do you know the time they give birth?(DP)
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(DQ) go free?
Who untied its ropes?
6 I gave it the wasteland(DR) as its home,
the salt flats(DS) as its habitat.(DT)
7 It laughs(DU) at the commotion in the town;
it does not hear a driver’s shout.(DV)
8 It ranges the hills(DW) for its pasture
and searches for any green thing.
9 “Will the wild ox(DX) consent to serve you?(DY)
Will it stay by your manger(DZ) at night?
10 Can you hold it to the furrow with a harness?(EA)
Will it till the valleys behind you?
11 Will you rely on it for its great strength?(EB)
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.(EC)
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.(ED)
16 She treats her young harshly,(EE) 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.(EF)
18 Yet when she spreads her feathers to run,
she laughs(EG) at horse and rider.
19 “Do you give the horse its strength(EH)
or clothe its neck with a flowing mane?
20 Do you make it leap like a locust,(EI)
striking terror(EJ) with its proud snorting?(EK)
21 It paws fiercely, rejoicing in its strength,(EL)
and charges into the fray.(EM)
22 It laughs(EN) at fear, afraid of nothing;
it does not shy away from the sword.
23 The quiver(EO) rattles against its side,
along with the flashing spear(EP) and lance.
24 In frenzied excitement it eats up the ground;
it cannot stand still when the trumpet sounds.(EQ)
25 At the blast of the trumpet(ER) it snorts, ‘Aha!’
It catches the scent of battle from afar,
the shout of commanders and the battle cry.(ES)
26 “Does the hawk take flight by your wisdom
and spread its wings toward the south?(ET)
27 Does the eagle soar at your command
and build its nest on high?(EU)
28 It dwells on a cliff and stays there at night;
a rocky crag(EV) is its stronghold.
29 From there it looks for food;(EW)
its eyes detect it from afar.
30 Its young ones feast on blood,
and where the slain are, there it is.”(EX)
Footnotes
- Job 37:7 Or work, / he fills all people with fear by his power
- Job 37:24 Or for he does not have regard for any who think they are wise.
- 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 37-39
New King James Version
Job 37-39
New King James Version
God’s Works and Wisdom
37 “At this also my heart trembles,
And leaps from its place.
2 Hear attentively the thunder of His voice,
And the rumbling that comes from His mouth.
3 He sends it forth under the whole heaven,
His [a]lightning to the ends of the earth.
4 After it (A)a voice roars;
He thunders with His majestic voice,
And He does not restrain them when His voice is heard.
5 God thunders marvelously with His voice;
(B)He does great things which we cannot comprehend.
6 For (C)He says to the snow, ‘Fall on the earth’;
Likewise to the [b]gentle rain and the heavy rain of His strength.
7 He seals the hand of every man,
(D)That (E)all men may know His work.
8 The beasts (F)go into dens,
And remain in their lairs.
9 From the chamber of the south comes the whirlwind,
And cold from the scattering winds of the north.
10 (G)By the breath of God ice is given,
And the broad waters are frozen.
11 Also with moisture He saturates the thick clouds;
He scatters His [c]bright clouds.
12 And they swirl about, being turned by His guidance,
That they may (H)do whatever He commands them
On the face of [d]the whole earth.
13 (I)He causes it to come,
Whether for [e]correction,
Or (J)for His land,
Or (K)for mercy.
14 “Listen to this, O Job;
Stand still and (L)consider the wondrous works of God.
15 Do you know when God [f]dispatches them,
And causes the light of His cloud to shine?
16 (M)Do you know how the clouds are balanced,
Those wondrous works of (N)Him who is perfect in knowledge?
17 Why are your garments hot,
When He quiets the earth by the south wind?
18 With Him, have you (O)spread out the (P)skies,
Strong as a cast metal mirror?
19 “Teach us what we should say to Him,
For we can prepare nothing because of the darkness.
20 Should He be told that I wish to speak?
If a man were to speak, surely he would be swallowed up.
21 Even now men cannot look at the light when it is bright in the skies,
When the wind has passed and cleared them.
22 He comes from the north as golden splendor;
With God is awesome majesty.
23 As for the Almighty, (Q)we cannot find Him;
(R)He is excellent in power,
In judgment and abundant justice;
He does not oppress.
24 Therefore men (S)fear Him;
He shows no partiality to any who are (T)wise of heart.”
The Lord Reveals His Omnipotence to Job(U)
38 Then the Lord answered Job (V)out of the whirlwind, and said:
2 “Who(W) is this who darkens counsel
By (X)words without knowledge?
3 (Y)Now [g]prepare yourself like a man;
I will question you, and you shall answer Me.
4 “Where(Z) were you when I laid the foundations of the earth?
Tell Me, if you have understanding.
5 Who determined its measurements?
Surely you know!
Or who stretched the [h]line upon it?
6 To what were its foundations fastened?
Or who laid its cornerstone,
7 When the morning stars sang together,
And all (AA)the sons of God shouted for joy?
8 “Or(AB) who shut in the sea with doors,
When it burst forth and issued from the womb;
9 When I made the clouds its garment,
And thick darkness its swaddling band;
10 When (AC)I fixed My limit for it,
And set bars and doors;
11 When I said,
‘This far you may come, but no farther,
And here your proud waves (AD)must stop!’
12 “Have you (AE)commanded the morning since your days began,
And caused the dawn to know its place,
13 That it might take hold of the ends of the earth,
And (AF)the wicked be shaken out of it?
14 It takes on form like clay under a seal,
And stands out like a garment.
15 From the wicked their (AG)light is withheld,
And (AH)the [i]upraised arm is broken.
16 “Have you (AI)entered the springs of the sea?
Or have you walked in search of the depths?
17 Have (AJ)the gates of death been [j]revealed to you?
Or have you seen the doors of the shadow of death?
18 Have you comprehended the breadth of the earth?
Tell Me, if you know all this.
19 “Where is the way to the dwelling of light?
And darkness, where is its place,
20 That you may take it to its territory,
That you may know the paths to its home?
21 Do you know it, because you were born then,
Or because the number of your days is great?
22 “Have you entered (AK)the treasury of snow,
Or have you seen the treasury of hail,
23 (AL)Which I have reserved for the time of trouble,
For the day of battle and war?
24 By what way is light [k]diffused,
Or the east wind scattered over the earth?
25 “Who (AM)has divided a channel for the overflowing water,
Or a path for the thunderbolt,
26 To cause it to rain on a land where there is no one,
A wilderness in which there is no man;
27 (AN)To satisfy the desolate waste,
And cause to spring forth the growth of tender grass?
28 (AO)Has the rain a father?
Or who has begotten the drops of dew?
29 From whose womb comes the ice?
And the (AP)frost of heaven, who gives it birth?
30 The waters harden like stone,
And the surface of the deep is (AQ)frozen.[l]
31 “Can you bind the cluster of the (AR)Pleiades,[m]
Or loose the belt of Orion?
32 Can you bring out [n]Mazzaroth in its season?
Or can you guide [o]the Great Bear with its cubs?
33 Do you know (AS)the ordinances of the heavens?
Can you set their dominion over the earth?
34 “Can you lift up your voice to the clouds,
That an abundance of water may cover you?
35 Can you send out lightnings, that they may go,
And say to you, ‘Here we are!’?
36 (AT)Who has put wisdom in [p]the mind?
Or who has given understanding to the heart?
37 Who can number the clouds by wisdom?
Or who can pour out the bottles of heaven,
38 When the dust hardens in clumps,
And the clods cling together?
39 “Can(AU) you hunt the prey for the lion,
Or satisfy the appetite of the young lions,
40 When they crouch in their dens,
Or lurk in their lairs to lie in wait?
41 (AV)Who provides food for the raven,
When its young ones cry to God,
And wander about for lack of food?
God Continues to Challenge Job
39 “Do you know the time when the wild (AW)mountain goats bear young?
Or can you mark when (AX)the deer gives birth?
2 Can you number the months that they fulfill?
Or do you know the time when they bear young?
3 They bow down,
They bring forth their young,
They deliver their [q]offspring.
4 Their young ones are healthy,
They grow strong with grain;
They depart and do not return to them.
5 “Who set the wild donkey free?
Who loosed the bonds of the [r]onager,
6 (AY)Whose home I have made the wilderness,
And the [s]barren land his dwelling?
7 He scorns the tumult of the city;
He does not heed the shouts of the driver.
8 The range of the mountains is his pasture,
And he searches after (AZ)every green thing.
9 “Will the (BA)wild ox be willing to serve you?
Will he bed by your manger?
10 Can you bind the wild ox in the furrow with ropes?
Or will he plow the valleys behind you?
11 Will you trust him because his strength is great?
Or will you leave your labor to him?
12 Will you trust him to bring home your [t]grain,
And gather it to your threshing floor?
13 “The wings of the ostrich wave proudly,
But are her wings and pinions like the kindly stork’s?
14 For she leaves her eggs on the ground,
And warms them in the dust;
15 She forgets that a foot may crush them,
Or that a wild beast may break them.
16 She (BB)treats her young harshly, as though they were not hers;
Her labor is in vain, without [u]concern,
17 Because God deprived her of wisdom,
And did not (BC)endow her with understanding.
18 When she lifts herself on high,
She scorns the horse and its rider.
19 “Have you given the horse strength?
Have you clothed his neck with [v]thunder?
20 Can you [w]frighten him like a locust?
His majestic snorting strikes terror.
21 He paws in the valley, and rejoices in his strength;
(BD)He gallops into the clash of arms.
22 He mocks at fear, and is not frightened;
Nor does he turn back from the sword.
23 The quiver rattles against him,
The glittering spear and javelin.
24 He devours the distance with fierceness and rage;
Nor does he come to a halt because the trumpet has sounded.
25 At the blast of the trumpet he says, ‘Aha!’
He smells the battle from afar,
The thunder of captains and shouting.
26 “Does the hawk fly by your wisdom,
And spread its wings toward the south?
27 Does the (BE)eagle mount up at your command,
And (BF)make its nest on high?
28 On the rock it dwells and resides,
On the crag of the rock and the stronghold.
29 From there it spies out the prey;
Its eyes observe from afar.
30 Its young ones suck up blood;
And (BG)where the slain are, there it is.”
Footnotes
- Job 37:3 Or light
- Job 37:6 Lit. shower of rain
- Job 37:11 clouds of light
- Job 37:12 Lit. the world of the earth
- Job 37:13 Lit. a rod
- Job 37:15 places them
- Job 38:3 Lit. gird up your loins like
- Job 38:5 measuring line
- Job 38:15 Lit. high
- Job 38:17 Lit. opened
- Job 38:24 Lit. divided
- Job 38:30 Lit. imprisoned
- Job 38:31 Or the Seven Stars
- Job 38:32 Lit. Constellations
- Job 38:32 Or Arcturus
- Job 38:36 Lit. the inward parts
- Job 39:3 Lit. pangs
- Job 39:5 A species of wild donkey
- Job 39:6 Lit. salt land
- Job 39:12 Lit. seed
- Job 39:16 Lit. fear
- Job 39:19 Or a mane
- Job 39:20 make him spring
Job 37-39
English Standard Version
Job 37-39
English Standard Version
Elihu Proclaims God's Majesty
37 “At this also my heart trembles
and leaps out of its place.
2 Keep listening to the thunder of his voice
and the rumbling that comes from his mouth.
3 Under the whole heaven he lets it go,
and his (A)lightning to the (B)corners of the earth.
4 After it (C)his voice roars;
(D)he thunders with his majestic voice,
and he does not restrain the lightnings[a] when his voice is heard.
5 God thunders wondrously with his voice;
he does (E)great things that we cannot (F)comprehend.
6 For to (G)the snow he says, ‘Fall on the earth,’
likewise to the downpour, his mighty downpour.
7 He (H)seals up the hand of every man,
that all men whom he made may (I)know it.
8 Then the beasts go into their (J)lairs,
and remain in their (K)dens.
9 From (L)its chamber (M)comes the whirlwind,
and (N)cold from the scattering winds.
10 By the breath of God (O)ice is given,
and (P)the broad waters are frozen fast.
11 He loads the thick cloud with moisture;
the clouds scatter his lightning.
12 They (Q)turn around and around by his (R)guidance,
(S)to accomplish all that he commands them
on the face of (T)the habitable world.
13 Whether for (U)correction or for his (V)land
or for (W)love, he causes it to happen.
14 “Hear this, O Job;
stop and (X)consider the wondrous works of God.
15 Do you know how God lays his command upon them
and causes the lightning of his cloud to shine?
16 Do you know the balancings[b] of the clouds,
the wondrous works of him who is (Y)perfect in knowledge,
17 you whose garments are hot
when the earth is still because of the south wind?
18 Can you, like him, (Z)spread out the skies,
hard as a cast metal (AA)mirror?
19 Teach us what we shall say to him;
we cannot draw up our case because of (AB)darkness.
20 Shall it be told him that I would speak?
Did a man ever wish that he would be swallowed up?
21 “And now no one looks on the light
when it is bright in the skies,
when the wind has passed and cleared them.
22 Out of the north comes golden splendor;
God is clothed with (AC)awesome majesty.
23 The Almighty—we (AD)cannot find him;
he is (AE)great in power;
(AF)justice and abundant righteousness he will not (AG)violate.
24 Therefore men (AH)fear him;
he does not regard any who are (AI)wise in their own conceit.”[c]
The Lord Answers Job
38 Then the Lord (AJ)answered Job out of the whirlwind and said:
2 “Who is this that (AK)darkens counsel by words (AL)without knowledge?
3 (AM)Dress for action[d] like a man;
I will question you, and you make it known to me.
4 “Where were you when I (AN)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 (AO)sang together
and all (AP)the sons of God (AQ)shouted for joy?
8 “Or who (AR)shut in the sea with doors
when it burst out from the womb,
9 when I made clouds its garment
and (AS)thick darkness its swaddling band,
10 and prescribed (AT)limits for it
and set bars and doors,
11 and said, ‘Thus far shall you come, and no farther,
and here shall your (AU)proud waves be stayed’?
12 “Have you (AV)commanded the morning since your days began,
and caused the dawn to know its place,
13 that it might take hold of (AW)the skirts of the earth,
and the wicked be (AX)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 (AY)light is withheld,
and (AZ)their uplifted arm is broken.
16 “Have you (BA)entered into the springs of the sea,
or walked in the recesses of the deep?
17 Have (BB)the gates of death been revealed to you,
or have you seen the gates of (BC)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 (BD)the paths to its home?
21 You know, for (BE)you were born then,
and the number of your days is great!
22 “Have you entered (BF)the storehouses of the snow,
or have you seen (BG)the storehouses of the hail,
23 which I have reserved (BH)for the time of trouble,
(BI)for the day of battle and war?
24 What is the way to the place where the light is distributed,
or where the east wind is scattered upon the earth?
25 “Who has cleft a channel for the torrents of rain
and (BJ)a way for the thunderbolt,
26 to bring rain on (BK)a land where no man is,
on (BL)the desert in which there is no man,
27 to satisfy the waste and desolate land,
and to make the ground sprout with (BM)grass?
28 “Has (BN)the rain a father,
or who has begotten the drops of dew?
29 From whose womb did (BO)the ice come forth,
and who has given birth to (BP)the frost of heaven?
30 The waters become hard like stone,
and the face of the deep is (BQ)frozen.
31 “Can you bind the chains of (BR)the Pleiades
or loose the cords of (BS)Orion?
32 Can you lead forth the Mazzaroth[e] in their season,
or can you guide (BT)the Bear with its children?
33 Do you know (BU)the ordinances of the heavens?
Can you establish their rule on the earth?
34 “Can you lift up your voice to the clouds,
that (BV)a flood of waters may cover you?
35 Can you send forth lightnings, that they may go
and say to you, ‘Here we are’?
36 Who has (BW)put wisdom in (BX)the inward parts[f]
or given understanding to the mind?[g]
37 Who can number the clouds by wisdom?
Or who can tilt the waterskins of the heavens,
38 when the dust runs into a mass
and (BY)the clods stick fast together?
39 “Can you hunt the prey for the lion,
or (BZ)satisfy the appetite of the young lions,
40 when they crouch in their (CA)dens
or lie in wait (CB)in their thicket?
41 Who provides for (CC)the raven its prey,
when its young ones cry to God for help,
and wander about for lack of food?
39 “Do you know when (CD)the mountain goats give birth?
Do you observe (CE)the calving of the does?
2 Can you number the months that they fulfill,
and do you know the time when they give birth,
3 when they (CF)crouch, bring forth their offspring,
and are delivered of their young?
4 Their young ones become strong; they grow up in the open;
they go out and (CG)do not return to them.
5 “Who has let the wild donkey go free?
Who has (CH)loosed the bonds of the swift donkey,
6 to whom I have given (CI)the arid plain for his home
and (CJ)the salt land for his dwelling place?
7 He scorns the tumult of the city;
he hears not the shouts of the driver.
8 He ranges the mountains as his pasture,
and he searches after every green thing.
9 “Is (CK)the wild ox willing to serve you?
Will he spend the night at your (CL)manger?
10 Can you bind (CM)him in the furrow with ropes,
or will he harrow the valleys after you?
11 Will you depend on him because his strength is great,
and will you leave to him your labor?
12 Do you have faith in him that he will return your grain
and gather it to your threshing floor?
13 “The wings of the ostrich wave proudly,
but are they the pinions and plumage of love?[h]
14 For she leaves her eggs to the earth
and lets them be warmed on the ground,
15 forgetting that a foot may crush them
and that the wild beast may trample them.
16 She (CN)deals cruelly with her young, as if they were not hers;
though her (CO)labor be in vain, yet she has no fear,
17 because God has made her forget wisdom
and (CP)given her no share in understanding.
18 When she rouses herself to flee,[i]
she laughs at the horse and his rider.
19 “Do you give the horse his might?
Do you clothe his neck with a mane?
20 Do you make him leap like the locust?
His majestic (CQ)snorting is terrifying.
21 He paws[j] in the valley and exults in his strength;
he (CR)goes out to meet the weapons.
22 He laughs at fear and is not dismayed;
he does not turn back from the sword.
23 Upon him rattle the quiver,
the flashing spear, and the javelin.
24 With fierceness and rage he swallows the ground;
he cannot stand still at (CS)the sound of the trumpet.
25 When the trumpet sounds, he says ‘Aha!’
He smells the battle from afar,
the thunder of the captains, and the shouting.
26 “Is it by your understanding that the hawk soars
and spreads his wings toward the south?
27 Is it at your command that the eagle mounts up
and makes his (CT)nest on high?
28 On the rock he dwells and makes his home,
on (CU)the rocky crag and stronghold.
29 From there he spies out the prey;
his eyes behold it from far away.
30 His young ones suck up blood,
and (CV)where the slain are, there is he.”
Footnotes
- Job 37:4 Hebrew them
- Job 37:16 Or hoverings
- Job 37:24 Hebrew in heart
- Job 38:3 Hebrew Gird up your loins
- Job 38:32 Probably the name of a constellation
- Job 38:36 Or in the ibis
- Job 38:36 Or rooster
- Job 39:13 The meaning of the Hebrew is uncertain
- Job 39:18 The meaning of the Hebrew is uncertain
- Job 39:21 Hebrew They paw
Chinese New Version (Simplified) (CNVS)
Chinese New Version (CNV). Copyright © 1976, 1992, 1999, 2001, 2005 by Worldwide Bible Society.
New International Version (NIV) 
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
NIV Reverse Interlinear Bible: English to Hebrew and English to Greek. Copyright © 2019 by Zondervan.
New King James Version (NKJV) 
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
English Standard Version (ESV) 
The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. ESV Text Edition: 2025.