Where were you (A)when I laid the foundation of the earth?
Tell Me, if you [a]have understanding,
Who set its (B)measurements? Since you know.
Or who stretched the measuring line over it?
On what (C)were its bases sunk?
Or who laid its cornerstone,
When the morning stars sang together
And all the (D)sons of God shouted for joy?

“Or who (E)enclosed the sea with doors
When it went out from the womb, bursting forth;
When I made a cloud its garment,
And thick darkness its swaddling bands,
10 And I [b](F)placed boundaries on it
And set a bolt and doors,
11 And I said, ‘As far as this point you shall come, but no farther;
And here your proud waves shall stop’?

God’s Mighty Power

12 “Have you [c]ever in your life commanded the morning,
And made the dawn know its place,
13 So that it would take hold of (G)the ends of the earth,
And (H)the wicked would be shaken off from it?
14 It is changed like clay under the seal;
And they stand out like a garment.
15 (I)Their light is withheld from the wicked,
And the (J)uplifted arm is broken.

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Footnotes

  1. Job 38:4 Lit know understanding
  2. Job 38:10 Lit broke My decree on it
  3. Job 38:12 Lit from your days commanded

The establishing of order

Where were you when I laid the earth’s foundations?
    Tell me if you know.
Who set its measurements? Surely you know.
    Who stretched a measuring tape on it?
On what were its footings sunk;
    who laid its cornerstone,
    while the morning stars sang in unison
        and all the divine beings shouted?
Who enclosed the Sea[a] behind doors
    when it burst forth from the womb,
    when I made the clouds its garment,
        the dense clouds its wrap,
10     when I imposed[b] my limit for it,
        put on a bar and doors
11     and said, “You may come this far, no farther;
        here your proud waves stop”?

12 In your lifetime have you commanded the morning,
        informed the dawn of its place
13     so it would take hold of earth by its edges
        and shake the wicked out of it?
14 Do you turn it over like clay for a seal,
        so it stands out like a colorful garment?
15 Light is withheld from the wicked,
    the uplifted arm broken.

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Footnotes

  1. Job 38:8 Heb Yam, a sea god
  2. Job 38:10 Heb uncertain