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15 “Take a look at Behemoth,[a]
    which I made, just as I made you.
    It eats grass like an ox.
16 See its powerful loins
    and the muscles of its belly.
17 Its tail is as strong as a cedar.
    The sinews of its thighs are knit tightly together.
18 Its bones are tubes of bronze.
    Its limbs are bars of iron.
19 It is a prime example of God’s handiwork,
    and only its Creator can threaten it.
20 The mountains offer it their best food,
    where all the wild animals play.
21 It lies under the lotus plants,[b]
    hidden by the reeds in the marsh.
22 The lotus plants give it shade
    among the willows beside the stream.
23 It is not disturbed by the raging river,
    not concerned when the swelling Jordan rushes around it.
24 No one can catch it off guard
    or put a ring in its nose and lead it away.

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Footnotes

  1. 40:15 The identification of Behemoth is disputed, ranging from an earthly creature to a mythical sea monster in ancient literature.
  2. 40:21 Or bramble bushes; also in 40:22.

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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