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)

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)

³⁹ “Do you hunt the prey for the lioness
    and satisfy the hunger of the lions^(I)
40 when they crouch in their dens^(J)
    or lie in wait in a thicket?^(K)
41 Who provides food^(L) for the raven^(M)
    when its young cry out to God
    and wander about for lack of food?^(N)

² “I know that you can do all things;^(A)
    no purpose of yours can be thwarted.^(B)
3 You asked, ‘Who is this that obscures my plans without knowledge?’^(C)
    Surely I spoke of things I did not understand,
    things too wonderful for me to know.^(D)

⁴ “You said, ‘Listen now, and I will speak;
    I will question you,
    and you shall answer me.’^(E)
5 My ears had heard of you^(F)
    but now my eyes have seen you.^(G)
6 Therefore I despise myself^(H)
    and repent^(I) in dust and ashes.”^(J)