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40 Moreover, the Lord said to Job,

Shall he who would find fault with the Almighty contend with Him? He who disputes with God, let him answer it.

Then Job replied to the Lord:

Behold, I am of small account and vile! What shall I answer You? I lay my hand upon my mouth.(A)

I have spoken once, but I will not reply again—indeed, twice [have I answered], but I will proceed no further.

Then the Lord answered Job out of the whirlwind, saying,

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

Will you also annul (set aside and render void) My judgment? Will you condemn Me [your God], that you may [appear] righteous and justified?

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

10 [Since you question the manner of the Almighty’s rule] deck yourself now with the excellency and dignity [of the Supreme Ruler, and yourself undertake the government of the world if you are so wise], and array yourself with honor and majesty.

11 Pour forth the overflowings of your anger, and look on everyone who is proud and abase him;

12 Look on everyone who is proud and bring him low, and tread down the wicked where they stand [if you are so able, Job].

13 [Bury and] hide them all in the dust together; [and] shut them up [in the prison house of death].

14 [If you can do all this, Job, proving yourself of divine might] then will I [God] praise you also [and acknowledge that] your own right hand can save you.

15 Behold now the behemoth (the hippopotamus), which I created as I did you; he eats grass like an ox.

16 See now, his strength is in his loins, and his power is in the sinews of his belly.

17 He moves his tail like a cedar tree; the tendons of his thighs are twisted together [like a rope].

18 His bones are like tubes of bronze; his limbs [or ribs] are like bars of iron.

19 [The hippopotamus] is the first [in magnitude and power] of the works of God [in animal life]; [only] He Who made him provides him with his [swordlike tusks, or only God Who made him can bring near His sword to master him].

20 Surely the mountains bring him food, where all the wild animals play.

21 He lies under the lotus trees, in the covert of the reeds in the marsh.

22 The lotus trees cover him with their shade; the willows of the brook compass him about.

23 Behold, if a river is violent and overflows, he does not tremble; he is confident, though the Jordan [River] swells and rushes against his mouth.

24 Can any take him when he is on the watch, or pierce through his nose with a snare?

40 The Lord said to Job:(A)

“Will the one who contends with the Almighty(B) correct him?(C)
    Let him who accuses God answer him!”(D)

Then Job answered the Lord:

“I am unworthy(E)—how can I reply to you?
    I put my hand over my mouth.(F)
I spoke once, but I have no answer(G)
    twice, but I will say no more.”(H)

Then the Lord spoke to Job out of the storm:(I)

“Brace yourself like a man;
    I will question you,
    and you shall answer me.(J)

“Would you discredit my justice?(K)
    Would you condemn me to justify yourself?(L)
Do you have an arm like God’s,(M)
    and can your voice(N) thunder like his?(O)
10 Then adorn yourself with glory and splendor,
    and clothe yourself in honor and majesty.(P)
11 Unleash the fury of your wrath,(Q)
    look at all who are proud and bring them low,(R)
12 look at all who are proud(S) and humble them,(T)
    crush(U) the wicked where they stand.
13 Bury them all in the dust together;(V)
    shroud their faces in the grave.(W)
14 Then I myself will admit to you
    that your own right hand can save you.(X)

15 “Look at Behemoth,
    which I made(Y) along with you
    and which feeds on grass like an ox.(Z)
16 What strength(AA) it has in its loins,
    what power in the muscles of its belly!(AB)
17 Its tail sways like a cedar;
    the sinews of its thighs are close-knit.(AC)
18 Its bones are tubes of bronze,
    its limbs(AD) like rods of iron.(AE)
19 It ranks first among the works of God,(AF)
    yet its Maker(AG) can approach it with his sword.(AH)
20 The hills bring it their produce,(AI)
    and all the wild animals play(AJ) nearby.(AK)
21 Under the lotus plants it lies,
    hidden among the reeds(AL) in the marsh.(AM)
22 The lotuses conceal it in their shadow;
    the poplars by the stream(AN) surround it.
23 A raging river(AO) does not alarm it;
    it is secure, though the Jordan(AP) should surge against its mouth.
24 Can anyone capture it by the eyes,
    or trap it and pierce its nose?(AQ)