² “Will the one who finds fault with the Almighty respond?
    Anyone who argues with God should state his case.”

⁴ “Since I am of little importance, how can I reply to you?
    I will simply place my hand over my mouth.
⁵ Although I have spoken once, I will not answer;
    I have spoken twice, but I will do so no more.”

⁷ “Gird up your loins like a man.
    I intend to put questions to you,
    and you must give me your answers.
⁸ Will you continue to deny that I am just?
    Will you condemn me in order to justify yourself?
⁹ Do you have an arm like that of God?
    Can your voice thunder as loudly as his?
¹⁰ “Display your majesty and grandeur;
    array yourself with glory and splendor.
¹¹ Unleash the fury of your wrath
    and humble the haughty with a glance.
¹² Look on all who are proud and shatter them;
    strike down the wicked where they stand.
¹³ Bury all of them in the earth^[d] together,
    and shroud their faces in an unknown grave.
¹⁴ Then I in turn will acknowledge to you
    that your own right hand is strong enough to save you.

¹⁵ “Look at Behemoth whom I made just as I made you;
    it feeds on grass like an ox.
¹⁶ Yet what strength it has in its loins
    and what power in the muscles of its body.
¹⁷ Its tail is as stiff as a cedar;
    the sinews of its thighs are tightly knit.
¹⁸ Its bones are like tubes of bronze,
    its limbs like rods of iron.
¹⁹ “It is the first of God’s works;
    only its Maker can control it with the sword.
²⁰ The mountains provide it with food,
    as do the wild animals that roam the hills.
²¹ It rests under the lotus trees
    as it lies hidden among the reeds in the marsh.
²² “The lotus trees afford it shade,
    and it is sheltered by the willows of the stream.
²³ Even if the river becomes turbulent,
    it does not become frightened;
it remains tranquil
    even if the waters rise up to its mouth.
²⁴ Who can blind its eyes and capture it
    or pierce its nose with a trap?

²⁵ “Can you catch Leviathan with a fishhook
    or tie a rope around its tongue?
²⁶ Can you put a rope through its nose
    or pierce its jaw with a hook?^[g]
27 Will it plead with you for mercy
    and address you with gentle words?
²⁸ Will it strike a bargain with you
    that will make it your servant forever?
²⁹ “Will you play with it as you would with a bird?
    Will you put it on a leash to amuse your maidens?
³⁰ Will traders bargain for it?
    Will merchants divide it up?
³¹ Can you riddle its hide with harpoons
    or its head with fishing spears?
³² If you ever should plan to lay a hand on it,
    first think of the struggle that awaits you,
    and then cease all such thoughts.