CHAPTER 40
1And the LORD answered Job and He said:
2Will he who disputes with Shaddai be reproved?
Who argues with God, let him answer!
3And Job answered the LORD and he said:
4Look, I am worthless. What can I say back to You?
My hand I put over my mouth.
5Once have I spoken and I will not answer,
twice, and will not go on.
6And the LORD answered Job from the whirlwind and He said:
7Gird your loins like a man.
Let me ask you, and you will inform Me.
8Will you indeed thwart My case,
hold Me guilty, so you can be right?
9If you have an arm like God’s,
and with a voice like His you can thunder,
10put on pride and preeminence,
and grandeur and glory don.
11Let loose your utmost wrath,
see every proud man, bring him low.
12See every proud man, make him kneel,
tramp on the wicked where they are.
13Bury them in the dust together,
14And I on my part shall acclaim you,
for your right hand triumphs for you.
15Look, pray: Behemoth, whom I made with you,
grass like cattle he eats.
16Look, pray: the power in his loins,
the virile strength in his belly’s muscles.
17He makes his tail stand like a cedar,
his balls’ sinews twine together.
18His bones are bars of bronze,
his limbs like iron rods.
19He is the first of the ways of God.
Let his Maker draw near him with His sword!
20For the mountains offer their yield to him,
every beast of the field plays there.
21Underneath the lotus he lies,
in the covert of reeds and marsh.
22The lotus hedges him, shades him,
the brook willows stand around him.
23Look, he swallows a river at his ease,
untroubled while Jordan pours into his mouth.
24Could one take him with one’s eyes,
with barbs pierce his nose?
25Could you draw Leviathan with a hook,
and with a cord press down his
26Could you put a lead line in his nose,
and with a fishhook pierce his cheek?
27Would he urgently entreat you,
would he speak to you gentle words?
28Would he seal a pact with you,
that you take him as lifelong slave?
29Could you play with him like a bird,
and leash him for your young women?
30Could hucksters haggle over him,
divide him among the traders?
31Could you fill his skin with darts,
and a fisherman’s net with his head?
32Just put your hand upon him—