15 “Look at Behemoth,
    which I made(A) along with you
    and which feeds on grass like an ox.(B)
16 What strength(C) it has in its loins,
    what power in the muscles of its belly!(D)
17 Its tail sways like a cedar;
    the sinews of its thighs are close-knit.(E)
18 Its bones are tubes of bronze,
    its limbs(F) like rods of iron.(G)
19 It ranks first among the works of God,(H)
    yet its Maker(I) can approach it with his sword.(J)
20 The hills bring it their produce,(K)
    and all the wild animals play(L) nearby.(M)
21 Under the lotus plants it lies,
    hidden among the reeds(N) in the marsh.(O)
22 The lotuses conceal it in their shadow;
    the poplars by the stream(P) surround it.
23 A raging river(Q) does not alarm it;
    it is secure, though the Jordan(R) should surge against its mouth.
24 Can anyone capture it by the eyes,
    or trap it and pierce its nose?(S)

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15 Look at Behemoth,
which I made along with you.
He eats grass like cattle.
16 Look at the strength of his back[a]
and the power in the muscles of his belly.
17 He stiffens his tail like a cedar tree;
the tendons of his thighs are woven firmly together.
18 His bones are bronze tubes;
his limbs are like iron rods.
19 He is the foremost of God’s works;(A)
only his Maker can draw the sword against him.
20 The hills yield food for him,
while all sorts of wild animals play there.
21 He lies under the lotus plants,
hiding in the protection[b] of marshy reeds.
22 Lotus plants cover him with their shade;
the willows by the brook surround him.
23 Though the river rages, Behemoth is unafraid;
he remains confident, even if the Jordan surges up to his mouth.
24 Can anyone capture him while he looks on,[c]
or pierce his nose with snares?

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Footnotes

  1. 40:16 Or waist
  2. 40:21 Lit plants, in the hiding place
  3. 40:24 Lit capture it in its eyes