Bible Browser

The Lord Answers Job

38Then the Lord answered Job out of the whirlwind:
² ‘Who is this that darkens counsel by words without knowledge?
³ Gird up your loins like a man,
   I will question you, and you shall declare to me.

⁴ ‘Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth?
   Tell me, if you have understanding.
⁵ Who determined its measurements—surely you know!
   Or who stretched the line upon it?
⁶ On what were its bases sunk,
   or who laid its cornerstone
⁷ when the morning stars sang together
   and all the heavenly beings^* shouted for joy?

⁸ ‘Or who shut in the sea with doors
   when it burst out from the womb?—
⁹ when I made the clouds its garment,
   and thick darkness its swaddling band,
¹⁰ and prescribed bounds for it,
   and set bars and doors,
¹¹ and said, “Thus far shall you come, and no farther,
   and here shall your proud waves be stopped”?

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

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

God’s Challenge to Job

6 Then the Lord answered Job out of the whirlwind:
⁷ ‘Gird up your loins like a man;
   I will question you, and you declare to me.
⁸ Will you even put me in the wrong?
   Will you condemn me that you may be justified?

Job Is Humbled and Satisfied

42Then Job answered the Lord:
² ‘I know that you can do all things,
   and that no purpose of yours can be thwarted.
³ “Who is this that hides counsel without knowledge?”
Therefore I have uttered what I did not understand,
   things too wonderful for me, which I did not know.
⁴ “Hear, and I will speak;
   I will question you, and you declare to me.”
⁵ I had heard of you by the hearing of the ear,
   but now my eye sees you;
⁶ therefore I despise myself,
   and repent in dust and ashes.’