The Lord Answers Job

38Then the Lord answered Job out of the whirlwind:
¹²‘Have you commanded the morning since your days began,
   and caused the dawn to know its place,
¹³so that it might take hold of the skirts of the earth,
   and the wicked be shaken out of it?
¹⁴It is changed like clay under the seal,
   and it is dyed^* like a garment.
¹⁵Light is withheld from the wicked,
   and their uplifted arm is broken.

¹⁶‘Have you entered into the springs of the sea,
   or walked in the recesses of the deep?
¹⁷Have the gates of death been revealed to you,
   or have you seen the gates of deep darkness?
¹⁸Have you comprehended the expanse of the earth?
   Declare, if you know all this.

¹⁹‘Where is the way to the dwelling of light,
   and where is the place of darkness,
²⁰that you may take it to its territory
   and that you may discern the paths to its home?
²¹Surely you know, for you were born then,
   and the number of your days is great!

40And the Lord said to Job:
²‘Shall a fault-finder contend with the Almighty?^*
   Anyone who argues with God must respond.’

Job’s Response to God

³Then Job answered the Lord:
⁴‘See, I am of small account; what shall I answer you?
   I lay my hand on my mouth.
⁵I have spoken once, and I will not answer;
   twice, but will proceed no further.’