Job 38
1 Then did the Lord address Job out of the storm-wind, and said,
Then the LORD answered Job out of the whirlwind, and said,
2 Who is this that casteth darkness [on my] counsel by words without knowledge?
Who [is] this that darkeneth counsel by words without knowledge?
3 Do but gird up like a mighty man thy loins: and I will ask thee, and do thou inform me.
Gird up now thy loins like a man; for I will demand of thee, and answer thou me.
4 Where wast thou when I laid the foundations of the earth? tell it, if thou hast any understanding [of it].
Where wast thou when I laid the foundations of the earth? declare, if thou hast understanding.
5 Who fixed her measurements, if thou knowest it? or who stretched the measuring-line over her?
Who hath laid the measures thereof, if thou knowest? or who hath stretched the line upon it?
6 Upon what are her foundation-pillars placed at rest? or who laid her corner-stone:
Whereupon are the foundations thereof fastened? or who laid the corner stone thereof;
7 When altogether sang the morning stars in gladness, and shouted for joy all the sons of God?
When the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy?
8 And who closed up with doors the sea, when, issuing forth, it came out of the deep bosom of the earth?
Or [who] shut up the sea with doors, when it brake forth, [as if] it had issued out of the womb?
9 When I made the clouds its garment, and thick fog its swaddling-cloth,
When I made the cloud the garment thereof, and thick darkness a swaddlingband for it,
10 And when I decreed for it my law, and set [for it] bars and doors,
And brake up for it my decreed [place], and set bars and doors,
11 And said, Thus far mayest thou come, but no farther; and here shall be stayed [thy strength] in the pride of thy waves?
And said, Hitherto shalt thou come, but no further: and here shall thy proud waves be stayed?
12 Didst thou ever, in all thy days, command the morning; didst thou ever assign the morning-dawn its place:
Hast thou commanded the morning since thy days; [and] caused the dayspring to know his place;
13 That it might lay hold of the ends of the earth, so that the wicked might be shaken out therefrom?
That it might take hold of the ends of the earth, that the wicked might be shaken out of it?
14 She is changed as the sealing-clay: and [all things] stand as though newly clad.
It is turned as clay [to] the seal; and they stand as a garment.
15 And from the wicked is their light withdrawn, and the high-raised arm is broken.
And from the wicked their light is withholden, and the high arm shall be broken.
16 Didst thou ever penetrate as far as the springs of the sea? or wander through the bottom of the deep?
Hast thou entered into the springs of the sea? or hast thou walked in the search of the depth?
17 Were the gates of death ever laid open unto thee? or canst thou see the doors of the shadow of death?
Have the gates of death been opened unto thee? or hast thou seen the doors of the shadow of death?
18 Hast thou a clear understanding of the breadth of the earth? Tell it, if thou knowest it all.
Hast thou perceived the breadth of the earth? declare if thou knowest it all.
19 Where is the way [to the spot where] the light dwelleth? and the darkness—where is its place,
Where [is] the way [where] light dwelleth? and [as for] darkness, where [is] the place thereof,
20 That thou mightest take each to its boundary, and that thou mightest mark the pathways to its house?
That thou shouldest take it to the bound thereof, and that thou shouldest know the paths [to] the house thereof?
21 Thou [surely] knowest it; because thou wast then born, and the number of thy days is great!
Knowest thou [it], because thou wast then born? or [because] the number of thy days [is] great?
22 Didst thou ever enter into the treasuries of the snow? or canst thou see the treasuries of the hail,
Hast thou entered into the treasures of the snow? or hast thou seen the treasures of the hail,
23 Which I have reserved for the time of distress, for the day of fight and battle?
Which I have reserved against the time of trouble, against the day of battle and war?
24 Where is the way [to the spot where] the light divideth itself, [where] the east wind is scattered over the earth?
By what way is the light parted, [which] scattereth the east wind upon the earth?
25 Who hath divided off watercourses for the overflowing rain, and a way for the lightning [that is followed by] thunders,
Who hath divided a watercourse for the overflowing of waters, or a way for the lightning of thunder;
26 To bring rain on a land, void of men; on a wilderness wherein no son of earth [is found];
To cause it to rain on the earth, [where] no man [is; on] the wilderness, wherein [there is] no man;
27 To satisfy waste and desolate lands; and to promote the growth of the tender grass?
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 the dew?
Hath the rain a father? or who hath begotten the drops of dew?
29 Out of whose womb cometh forth the ice? and the hoary frost of heaven—who giveth birth to it?
Out of whose womb came the ice? and the hoary frost of heaven, who hath gendered it?
30 [When] like a stone the waters are congealed, and the face of the deep is bound in fetters?
The waters are hid as [with] a stone, and the face of the deep is frozen.
31 Canst thou bind together the chains of the Pleiades, or loosen the bands of Orion?
Canst thou bind the sweet influences of Pleiades, or loose the bands of Orion?
32 Canst thou bring forth the constellations of the zodiac, each in its season? or canst thou guide the Bear with its young?
Canst thou bring forth Mazzaroth in his season? or canst thou guide Arcturus with his sons?
33 Knowest thou the laws of heaven? or dost thou appoint its rule on the earth?
Knowest thou the ordinances of heaven? canst thou set the dominion thereof in the earth?
34 Canst thou lift up to the clouds thy voice, that the abundance of waters may cover thee?
Canst thou lift up thy voice to the clouds, that abundance of waters may cover thee?
35 Canst thou send out lightnings, that they may go, and say unto thee, Here are we?
Canst thou send lightnings, that they may go, and say unto thee, Here we [are]?
36 Who hath put wisdom in the dark clouds? or who hath given understanding to the bright meteors?
Who hath put wisdom in the inward parts? or who hath given understanding to the heart?
37 Who ordaineth the skies with wisdom? or who emptieth out the bottles of heaven.
Who can number the clouds in wisdom? or who can stay the bottles of heaven,
38 When the dust is poured out as molten metal, and the clods are made to cleave fast together?
When the dust groweth into hardness, and the clods cleave fast together?
39 Dost thou hunt for the lioness her prey? and suppliest thou the food for the young lions,
Wilt thou hunt the prey for the lion? or fill the appetite of the young lions,
40 When they are couched in their lairs, rest in the thicket, lying in wait?
When they couch in [their] dens, [and] abide in the covert to lie in wait?
41 Who provideth for the raven his provision? when his young ones cry unto God, and wander about for lack of food?
Who provideth for the raven his food? when his young ones cry unto God, they wander for lack of meat.
