The LORD Answers Job

1Then the LORD answered Job out of the whirlwind, and said,

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

3Gird up now your loins like a man; for I will demand of you, and you answer me.

4Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth? declare, if you have understanding.

5Who has determined the measures thereof, if you know? or who has stretched the line upon it?

6On what are its foundations fastened? or who laid its cornerstone;

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

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

9When I made the clouds its garment, and thick darkness its swaddling band,

10And prescribed bounds for it, and set bars and doors,

11And said, Thus far shall you come, but no farther: and here shall your proud waves be stopped?

12Have you commanded the morning since your days began; and caused the dawn to know its place;

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

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

15And from the wicked their light is withheld, and the uplifted arm shall be broken.

16Have you entered into the springs of the sea? or have you walked in search of the depths?

17Have the gates of death been revealed unto you? or have you seen the doors of the shadow of death?

18Have you perceived the breadth of the earth? declare if you know it all.

19Where is the way where light dwells? and as for darkness, where is its place,

20That you should take it to its domain, and that you should know the paths to its home?

21Do you know it, because you were born then? or because the number of your days is great?

22Have you entered into the treasury of the snow? or have you seen the treasury of the hail,

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

24By what way is the light distributed, which scatters the east wind upon the earth?

25Who has divided a channel for the overflowing of waters, or a way for the lightning of thunder;

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

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

28Has the rain a father? or who has begotten the drops of dew?

29Out of whose womb came the ice? and the frost from heaven, who has given it birth?

30The waters harden like a stone, and the face of the deep is frozen.

31Can you bind the cluster of Pleiades, or loose the bands of Orion?

32Can you bring forth Mazzaroth in its season? or can you guide Arcturus with its children?

33Know you the ordinances of heaven? can you set their dominion in the earth?

34Can you lift up your voice to the clouds, that abundance of waters may cover you?

35Can you send lightnings, that they may go, and say unto you, Here we are?

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

37Who can number the clouds by wisdom? or who can pour out the water skins of heaven,

38When the dust grows into clumps, and the clods cleave fast together?

39Will you hunt the prey for the lion? or satisfy the appetite of the young lions,

40When they crouch in their dens, and abide in their lairs to lie in wait?

41Who provides for the raven its food? when its young ones cry unto God, they wander about for lack of food.