Job 38

1 THEN the Lord answered Job out of the whirlwind, and said,

Then the LORD answered Job out of the whirlwind, and said,

2 Who is this that darkeneth counsel by words without knowledge?

Who is this that darkens counsel by words without knowledge?

3 Gird up now thy loins like a man; for I will demand of thee, and answer thou me.

Gird up now your loins like a man; for I will demand of you, and answer you me.

4 Where wast thou when I laid the foundations of the earth? declare, if thou hast understanding.

Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth? declare, if you have understanding.

5 Who hath laid the measures thereof, if thou knowest? or who hath stretched the line upon it?

Who has laid the measures thereof, if you know? or who has stretched the line on it?

6 Whereupon are the foundations thereof fastened? or who laid the corner stone thereof;

Whereupon are the foundations thereof fastened? or who laid the corner stone thereof;

7 When the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy?

When the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy?

8 Or who shut up the sea with doors, when it brake forth, as if it had issued out of the womb?

Or who shut up the sea with doors, when it broke forth, as if it had issued out of the womb?

9 When I made the cloud the garment thereof, and thick darkness a swaddlingband for it,

When I made the cloud the garment thereof, and thick darkness a swaddling cloth for it,

10 And brake up for it my decreed place, and set bars and doors,

And broke up for it my decreed place, and set bars and doors,

11 And said, Hitherto shalt thou come, but no further: and here shall thy proud waves be stayed?

And said, Till now shall you come, but no further: and here shall your proud waves be stayed?

12 Hast thou commanded the morning since thy days; and caused the dayspring to know his place;

Have you commanded the morning since your days; and caused the dayspring to know his place;

13 That it might take hold of the ends of the earth, that the wicked might be shaken out of it?

That it might take hold of the ends of the earth, that the wicked might be shaken out of it?

14 It is turned as clay to the seal; and they stand as a garment.

It is turned as clay to the seal; and they stand as a garment.

15 And from the wicked their light is withholden, and the high arm shall be broken.

And from the wicked their light is withheld, and the high arm shall be broken.

16 Hast thou entered into the springs of the sea? or hast thou walked in the search of the depth?

Have you entered into the springs of the sea? or have you walked in the search of the depth?

17 Have the gates of death been opened unto thee? or hast thou seen the doors of the shadow of death?

Have the gates of death been opened to you? or have you seen the doors of the shadow of death?

18 Hast thou perceived the breadth of the earth? declare if thou knowest it all.

Have you perceived the breadth of the earth? declare if you know it all.

19 Where is the way where light dwelleth? and as for darkness, where is the place thereof,

Where is the way where light dwells? and as for darkness, where is the place thereof,

20 That thou shouldest take it to the bound thereof, and that thou shouldest know the paths to the house thereof?

That you should take it to the bound thereof, and that you should know the paths to the house thereof?

21 Knowest thou it, because thou wast then born? or because the number of thy days is great?

Know you it, because you were then born? or because the number of your days is great?

22 Hast thou entered into the treasures of the snow? or hast thou seen the treasures of the hail,

Have you entered into the treasures of the snow? or have you seen the treasures of the hail,

23 Which I have reserved against the time of trouble, against the day of battle and war?

Which I have reserved against the time of trouble, against the day of battle and war?

24 By what way is the light parted, which scattereth the east wind upon the earth?

By what way is the light parted, which scatters the east wind on the earth?

25 Who hath divided a watercourse for the overflowing of waters, or a way for the lightning of thunder;

Who has divided a watercourse for the overflowing of waters, or a way for the lightning of thunder;

26 To cause it to rain on the earth, where no man is; on the wilderness, wherein there is no man;

To cause it to rain on the earth, where no man is; on the wilderness, wherein there is no man;

27 To satisfy the desolate and waste ground; and to cause the bud of the tender herb to spring forth?

To satisfy the desolate and waste ground; and to cause the bud of the tender herb to spring forth?

28 Hath the rain a father? or who hath begotten the drops of dew?

Has the rain a father? or who has begotten the drops of dew?

29 Out of whose womb came the ice? and the hoary frost of heaven, who hath gendered it?

Out of whose womb came the ice? and the hoary frost of heaven, who has gendered it?

30 The waters are hid as with a stone, and the face of the deep is frozen.

The waters are hid as with a stone, and the face of the deep is frozen.

31 Canst thou bind the sweet influences of Pleiades, or loose the bands of Orion?

Can you bind the sweet influences of Pleiades, or loose the bands of Orion?

32 Canst thou bring forth Mazzaroth in his season? or canst thou guide Arcturus with his sons?

Can you bring forth Mazzaroth in his season? or can you guide Arcturus with his sons?

33 Knowest thou the ordinances of heaven? canst thou set the dominion thereof in the earth?

Know you the ordinances of heaven? can you set the dominion thereof in the earth?

34 Canst thou lift up thy voice to the clouds, that abundance of waters may cover thee?

Can you lift up your voice to the clouds, that abundance of waters may cover you?

35 Canst thou send lightnings, that they may go, and say unto thee, Here we are?

Can you send lightning, that they may go and say to you, Here we are?

36 Who hath put wisdom in the inward parts? or who hath given understanding to the heart?

Who has put wisdom in the inward parts? or who has given understanding to the heart?

37 Who can number the clouds in wisdom? or who can stay the bottles of heaven,

Who can number the clouds in wisdom? or who can stay the bottles of heaven,

38 When the dust groweth into hardness, and the clods cleave fast together?

When the dust grows into hardness, and the clods stuck fast together?

39 Wilt thou hunt the prey for the lion? or fill the appetite of the young lions,

Will you hunt the prey for the lion? or fill the appetite of the young lions,

40 When they couch in their dens, and abide in the covert to lie in wait?

When they couch in their dens, and abide in the covert to lie in wait?

41 Who provideth for the raven his food? when his young ones cry unto God, they wander for lack of meat.

Who provides for the raven his food? when his young ones cry to God, they wander for lack of meat.