2Many are the counsels of God; he who reproves God must answer for it.

3Then Job answered the LORD, and said,

4Behold, I am unworthy; what shall I answer thee? I will lay my hand upon my mouth.

5Once I have spoken; but I will not answer; yea, twice, but I will proceed no further.

6Then the LORD answered Job out of the whirlwind, and said,

7Gird up your loins now like a man; I will question you, and you shall declare to me.

8Will you disannul my judgment? Will you even condemn me, that you may be justified?

9Have you an arm like God? Or can you thunder with a voice like him?

10Deck yourself now with majesty and excellency; and array yourself with glory and beauty.

11Cast away the rage of your wrath; and look upon everyone that is proud, and abase him;

12And cast the sinners into their place.

13Bury them in the earth together; cover their faces with fine dust.

14Then will I also give you credit when your own right hand has saved you.

15Behold now the hippopotamus which I made for you; he eats grass like an ox.

16Lo, his strength is in his loins, and his tail stands erect like a cedar tree.

17The sinews of his thighs bulge out.

18His bones are strong as pieces of brass; yea, they are like bars of iron.

19He is the chief among God's creations; for he made him powerful to fight.

20He roams about the mountains, and all the wild beasts of the field lie down under his protection.

21He lurks in the covert of reeds, he couches as a lion.

22The shady trees cover him with their shadow; the willows of the brook encircle him.

23Behold, if he plunges into the river, he is not afraid; he is confident, though the Jordan reaches to his mouth.

24Can one take him with a hook, or catch him with a net? Can one snare him in a trap, or can one bind his tongue with a rope?