Job 38:1-7
New International Version
The Lord Speaks
38 Then the Lord spoke to Job(A) out of the storm.(B) He said:
2 “Who is this that obscures my plans(C)
with words without knowledge?(D)
3 Brace yourself like a man;
I will question you,
and you shall answer me.(E)
4 “Where were you when I laid the earth’s foundation?(F)
Tell me, if you understand.(G)
5 Who marked off its dimensions?(H) Surely you know!
Who stretched a measuring line(I) across it?
6 On what were its footings set,(J)
or who laid its cornerstone(K)—
7 while the morning stars(L) sang together(M)
and all the angels[a](N) shouted for joy?(O)
Footnotes
- Job 38:7 Hebrew the sons of God
Job 38:1-7
Good News Translation
The Lord Answers Job
38 Then out of the storm the Lord spoke to Job.
The Lord
2 Who are you to question my wisdom
with your ignorant, empty words?
3 Now stand up straight
and answer the questions I ask you.
4 Were you there when I made the world?
If you know so much, tell me about it.
5 Who decided how large it would be?
Who stretched the measuring line over it?
Do you know all the answers?
6 What holds up the pillars that support the earth?
Who laid the cornerstone of the world?
7 (A)In the dawn of that day the stars sang together,
and the heavenly beings[a] shouted for joy.
Footnotes
- Job 38:7 See 1.6.
Job 38:1-7
New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition
The Lord Answers Job
38 Then the Lord answered Job out of the whirlwind:(A)
2 “Who is this that darkens counsel by words without knowledge?(B)
3 Gird up your loins like a man;
I will question you, and you shall declare to me.(C)
4 “Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth?
Tell me, if you have understanding.(D)
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(E)
7 when the morning stars sang together
and all the heavenly beings[a] shouted for joy?(F)
Footnotes
- 38.7 Heb sons of God
Job 38:1-7
Common English Bible
The Lord answers from a whirlwind
38 Then the Lord answered Job from the whirlwind:
2 Who is this darkening counsel
with words lacking knowledge?
3 Prepare yourself like a man;
I will interrogate you, and you will respond to me.
The establishing of order
4 Where were you when I laid the earth’s foundations?
Tell me if you know.
5 Who set its measurements? Surely you know.
Who stretched a measuring tape on it?
6 On what were its footings sunk;
who laid its cornerstone,
7 while the morning stars sang in unison
and all the divine beings shouted?
Job 38:34-41
New International Version
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)
Job 38:34-41
Good News Translation
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?
Job 38:34-41
New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition
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)
Job 38:34-41
Common English Bible
34 Can you issue an order to the clouds
so their abundant waters cover you?
35 Can you send lightning so that it goes
and then says to you, “I’m here”?
36 Who put wisdom in remote places,
or who gave understanding to a rooster?[a]
37 Who is wise enough to count the clouds,
and who can tilt heaven’s water containers
38 so that dust becomes mud
and clods of dirt adhere?
Lion and raven
39 Can you hunt prey for the lion
or fill the cravings of lion cubs?
40 They lie in their den,
lie in ambush in their lair.
41 Who provides food for the raven
when its young cry to God,
move about without food?
Footnotes
- Job 38:36 Heb uncertain
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New Revised Standard Version, Updated Edition. Copyright © 2021 National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
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