Job 37-39

¹Yea, at this my heart trembleth, And is moved out of its place.

²Hear, oh, hear the noise of his voice, And the sound that goeth out of his mouth.

³He sendeth it forth under the whole heaven, And his lightning unto the ends of the earth.

⁴After it a voice roareth; He thundereth with the voice of his majesty; And he restraineth not the lightnings when his voice is heard.

⁵God thundereth marvellously with his voice; Great things doeth he, which we cannot comprehend.

¹At this also my heart trembleth, and is moved out of his place.

²Hear attentively the noise of his voice, and the sound that goeth out of his mouth.

³He directeth it under the whole heaven, and his lightning unto the ends of the earth.

⁴After it a voice roareth: he thundereth with the voice of his excellency; and he will not stay them when his voice is heard.

⁵God thundereth marvellously with his voice; great things doeth he, which we cannot comprehend.

⁶For he saith to the snow, Fall thou on the earth; Likewise to the shower of rain, And to the showers of his mighty rain.

⁷He sealeth up the hand of every man, That all men whom he hath made may know it.

⁶For he saith to the snow, Be thou on the earth; likewise to the small rain, and to the great rain of his strength.

⁷He sealeth up the hand of every man; that all men may know his work.

⁸Then the beasts go into coverts, And remain in their dens.

⁹Out of the chamber of the south cometh the storm, And cold out of the north.

¹⁰By the breath of God ice is given; And the breadth of the waters is straitened.

¹¹Yea, he ladeth the thick cloud with moisture; He spreadeth abroad the cloud of his lightning: ¹²And it is turned round about by his guidance, That they may do whatsoever he commandeth them Upon the face of the habitable world, ¹³Whether it be for correction, or for his land, Or for lovingkindness, that he cause it to come.

¹⁴Hearken unto this, O Job: Stand still, and consider the wondrous works of God.

⁸Then the beasts go into dens, and remain in their places.

⁹Out of the south cometh the whirlwind: and cold out of the north.

¹⁰By the breath of God frost is given: and the breadth of the waters is straitened.

¹¹Also by watering he wearieth the thick cloud: he scattereth his bright cloud:

¹²And it is turned round about by his counsels: that they may do whatsoever he commandeth them upon the face of the world in the earth.

¹³He causeth it to come, whether for correction, or for his land, or for mercy.

¹⁴Hearken unto this, O Job: stand still, and consider the wondrous works of God.

¹⁵Dost thou know how God layeth his charge upon them, And causeth the lightning of his cloud to shine?

¹⁶Dost thou know the balancings of the clouds, The wondrous works of him who is perfect in knowledge?

¹⁷How thy garments are warm, When the earth is still by reason of the south wind?

¹⁸Canst thou with him spread out the sky, Which is strong as a molten mirror?

¹⁵Dost thou know when God disposed them, and caused the light of his cloud to shine?

¹⁶Dost thou know the balancings of the clouds, the wondrous works of him which is perfect in knowledge?

¹⁷How thy garments are warm, when he quieteth the earth by the south wind?

¹⁸Hast thou with him spread out the sky, which is strong, and as a molten looking glass?

¹⁹Teach us what we shall say unto him; For we cannot set our speech in order by reason of darkness.

²⁰Shall it be told him that I would speak? Or should a man wish that he were swallowed up?

²¹And now men see not the light which is bright in the skies; But the wind passeth, and cleareth them.

²²Out of the north cometh golden splendor: God hath upon him terrible majesty.

²³Touching the Almighty, we cannot find him out: He is excellent in power; And in justice and plenteous righteousness he will not afflict.

²⁴Men do therefore fear him: He regardeth not any that are wise of heart.

¹⁹Teach us what we shall say unto him; for we cannot order our speech by reason of darkness.

²⁰Shall it be told him that I speak? if a man speak, surely he shall be swallowed up.

²¹And now men see not the bright light which is in the clouds: but the wind passeth, and cleanseth them.

²²Fair weather cometh out of the north: with God is terrible majesty.

²³Touching the Almighty, we cannot find him out: he is excellent in power, and in judgment, and in plenty of justice: he will not afflict.

²⁴Men do therefore fear him: he respecteth not any that are wise of heart.

¹Then Jehovah answered Job out of the whirlwind, and said, ²Who is this that darkeneth counsel By words without knowledge?

³Gird up now thy loins like a man; For I will demand of thee, and declare thou unto me.

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

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

³Gird up now thy loins like a man; for I will demand of thee, and answer thou me.

⁴Where wast thou when I laid the foundations of the earth? Declare, if thou hast understanding.

⁵Who determined the measures thereof, if thou knowest? Or who stretched the line upon it?

⁶Whereupon were the foundations thereof fastened? Or who laid the corner-stone thereof, 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 brake forth, as if it had issued out of the womb; ⁹When I made clouds the garment thereof, And thick darkness a swaddling-band for it, ¹⁰And marked out for it my bound, And set bars and doors, ¹¹And said, Hitherto shalt thou come, but no further; And here shall thy proud waves be stayed?

¹²Hast thou commanded the morning since thy days began, And caused the dayspring to know its place; ¹³That it might take hold of the ends of the earth, And the wicked be shaken out of it?

¹⁴It is changed as clay under the seal; And all things stand forth as a garment: ¹⁵And from the wicked their light is withholden, And the high arm is broken.

¹⁶Hast thou entered into the springs of the sea? Or hast thou walked in the recesses of the deep?

¹⁷Have the gates of death been revealed unto thee? Or hast thou seen the gates of the shadow of death?

¹⁸Hast thou comprehended the earth in its breadth? Declare, if thou knowest it all.

¹⁹Where is the way to the dwelling of light? And as for darkness, where is the place thereof, ²⁰That thou shouldest take it to the bound thereof, And that thou shouldest discern the paths to the house thereof?

²¹Doubtless, thou knowest, for thou wast then born, And the number of thy days is great!

²²Hast thou entered the treasuries of the snow, Or hast thou seen the treasures 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 parted, Or the east wind scattered upon the earth?

²⁵Who hath cleft a channel for the waterflood, Or the way for the lightning of the thunder; ²⁶To cause it to rain on a land where no man is; On the wilderness, wherein there is no man; ²⁷To satisfy the waste and desolate ground, And to cause the tender grass to spring forth?

²⁸Hath the rain a father? Or who hath begotten the drops of dew?

²⁹Out of whose womb came the ice? And the hoary frost of heaven, who hath gendered it?

³⁰The waters hide themselves and become like stone, And the face of the deep is frozen.

³¹Canst thou bind the cluster of the Pleiades, Or loose the bands of Orion?

³²Canst thou lead forth the Mazzaroth in their season? Or canst thou guide the Bear with her train?

³³Knowest thou the ordinances of the heavens? Canst thou establish the dominion thereof in the earth?

³⁴Canst thou lift up thy voice to the clouds, That abundance of waters may cover thee?

³⁵Canst thou send forth lightnings, that they may go, And say unto thee, Here we are?

⁴Where wast thou when I laid the foundations of the earth? declare, if thou hast understanding.

⁵Who hath laid the measures thereof, if thou knowest? or who hath stretched the line upon it?

⁶Whereupon are the foundations thereof fastened? or who laid the corner stone thereof;

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 brake forth, as if it had issued out of the womb?

⁹When I made the cloud the garment thereof, and thick darkness a swaddlingband for it,

¹⁰And brake up for it my decreed place, and set bars and doors,

¹¹And said, Hitherto shalt thou come, but no further: and here shall thy proud waves be stayed?

¹²Hast thou commanded the morning since thy days; and caused the dayspring to know his 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 to the seal; and they stand as a garment.

¹⁵And from the wicked their light is withholden, and the high arm shall be broken.

¹⁶Hast thou entered into the springs of the sea? or hast thou walked in the search of the depth?

¹⁷Have the gates of death been opened unto thee? or hast thou seen the doors of the shadow of death?

¹⁸Hast thou perceived the breadth of the earth? declare if thou knowest it all.

¹⁹Where is the way where light dwelleth? and as for darkness, where is the place thereof,

²⁰That thou shouldest take it to the bound thereof, and that thou shouldest know the paths to the house thereof?

²¹Knowest thou it, because thou wast then born? or because the number of thy days is great?

²²Hast thou entered into the treasures of the snow? or hast thou seen the treasures 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 parted, which scattereth the east wind upon the earth?

²⁵Who hath divided a watercourse 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, wherein there is no man;

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

²⁸Hath the rain a father? or who hath begotten the drops of dew?

²⁹Out of whose womb came the ice? and the hoary frost of heaven, who hath gendered it?

³⁰The waters are hid as with a stone, and the face of the deep is frozen.

³¹Canst thou bind the sweet influences of Pleiades, or loose the bands of Orion?

³²Canst thou bring forth Mazzaroth in his season? or canst thou guide Arcturus with his sons?

³³Knowest thou the ordinances of heaven? canst thou set the dominion thereof in the earth?

³⁴Canst thou lift up thy voice to the clouds, that abundance of waters may cover thee?

³⁵Canst thou send lightnings, that they may go, and say unto thee, Here we are?

³⁶Who hath put wisdom in the inward parts? Or who hath given understanding to the mind?

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

³⁷Who can number the clouds by wisdom? Or who can pour out the bottles of heaven, ³⁸When the dust runneth into a mass, And the clods cleave fast together?

³⁷Who can number the clouds in wisdom? or who can stay the bottles of heaven,

³⁸When the dust groweth into hardness, and the clods cleave fast together?

³⁹Canst thou hunt the prey for the lioness, Or satisfy the appetite of the young lions, ⁴⁰When they couch in their dens, And abide in the covert to lie in wait?

⁴¹Who provideth for the raven his prey, When his young ones cry unto God, And wander for lack of food?

³⁹Wilt thou hunt the prey for the lion? or fill the appetite of the young lions,

⁴⁰When they couch in their dens, and abide in the covert to lie in wait?

⁴¹Who provideth for the raven his food? when his young ones cry unto God, they wander for lack of meat.

¹Knowest thou the time when the wild goats of the rock bring forth? Or canst thou mark when the hinds do calve?

²Canst thou number the months that they fulfil? Or knowest thou the time when they bring forth?

³They bow themselves, they bring forth their young, They cast out their pains.

⁴Their young ones become strong, they grow up in the open field; They go forth, and return not again.

⁵Who hath sent out the wild ass free? Or who hath loosed the bonds of the swift ass, ⁶Whose home I have made the wilderness, And the salt land his dwelling-place?

⁷He scorneth the tumult of the city, Neither heareth he the shoutings of the driver.

⁸The range of the mountains is his pasture, And he searcheth after every green thing.

⁹Will the wild-ox be content to serve thee? Or will he abide by thy crib?

¹⁰Canst thou bind the wild-ox with his band in the furrow? Or will he harrow the valleys after thee?

¹¹Wilt thou trust him, because his strength is great? Or wilt thou leave to him thy labor?

¹²Wilt thou confide in him, that he will bring home thy seed, And gather the grain of thy threshing-floor?

¹³The wings of the ostrich wave proudly; But are they the pinions and plumage of love?

¹⁴For she leaveth her eggs on the earth, And warmeth them in the dust, ¹⁵And forgetteth that the foot may crush them, Or that the wild beast may trample them.

¹⁶She dealeth hardly with her young ones, as if they were not hers: Though her labor be in vain, she is without fear; ¹⁷Because God hath deprived her of wisdom, Neither hath he imparted to her understanding.

¹Knowest thou the time when the wild goats of the rock bring forth? or canst thou mark when the hinds do calve?

²Canst thou number the months that they fulfil? or knowest thou the time when they bring forth?

³They bow themselves, they bring forth their young ones, they cast out their sorrows.

⁴Their young ones are in good liking, they grow up with corn; they go forth, and return not unto them.

⁵Who hath sent out the wild ass free? or who hath loosed the bands of the wild ass?

⁶Whose house I have made the wilderness, and the barren land his dwellings.

⁷He scorneth the multitude of the city, neither regardeth he the crying of the driver.

⁸The range of the mountains is his pasture, and he searcheth after every green thing.

⁹Will the unicorn be willing to serve thee, or abide by thy crib?

¹⁰Canst thou bind the unicorn with his band in the furrow? or will he harrow the valleys after thee?

¹¹Wilt thou trust him, because his strength is great? or wilt thou leave thy labour to him?

¹²Wilt thou believe him, that he will bring home thy seed, and gather it into thy barn?

¹³Gavest thou the goodly wings unto the peacocks? or wings and feathers unto the ostrich?

¹⁴Which leaveth her eggs in the earth, and warmeth them in dust,

¹⁵And forgetteth that the foot may crush them, or that the wild beast may break them.

¹⁶She is hardened against her young ones, as though they were not hers: her labour is in vain without fear;

¹⁷Because God hath deprived her of wisdom, neither hath he imparted to her understanding.

¹⁸What time she lifteth up herself on high, She scorneth the horse and his rider.

¹⁹Hast thou given the horse his might? Hast thou clothed his neck with the quivering mane?

²⁰Hast thou made him to leap as a locust? The glory of his snorting is terrible.

²¹He paweth in the valley, and rejoiceth in his strength: He goeth out to meet the armed men.

²²He mocketh at fear, and is not dismayed; Neither turneth he back from the sword.

²³The quiver rattleth against him, The flashing spear and the javelin.

²⁴He swalloweth the ground with fierceness and rage; Neither believeth he that it is the voice of the trumpet.

²⁵As oft as the trumpet soundeth he saith, Aha! And he smelleth the battle afar off, The thunder of the captains, and the shouting.

²⁶Is it by thy wisdom that the hawk soareth, And stretcheth her wings toward the south?

²⁷Is it at thy command that the eagle mounteth up, And maketh her nest on high?

²⁸On the cliff she dwelleth, and maketh her home, Upon the point of the cliff, and the stronghold.

²⁹From thence she spieth out the prey; Her eyes behold it afar off.

³⁰Her young ones also suck up blood: And where the slain are, there is she.

¹⁸What time she lifteth up herself on high, she scorneth the horse and his rider.

¹⁹Hast thou given the horse strength? hast thou clothed his neck with thunder?

²⁰Canst thou make him afraid as a grasshopper? the glory of his nostrils is terrible.

²¹He paweth in the valley, and rejoiceth in his strength: he goeth on to meet the armed men.

²²He mocketh at fear, and is not affrighted; neither turneth he back from the sword.

²³The quiver rattleth against him, the glittering spear and the shield.

²⁴He swalloweth the ground with fierceness and rage: neither believeth he that it is the sound of the trumpet.

²⁵He saith among the trumpets, Ha, ha; and he smelleth the battle afar off, the thunder of the captains, and the shouting.

²⁶Doth the hawk fly by thy wisdom, and stretch her wings toward the south?

²⁷Doth the eagle mount up at thy command, and make her nest on high?

²⁸She dwelleth and abideth on the rock, upon the crag of the rock, and the strong place.

²⁹From thence she seeketh the prey, and her eyes behold afar off.

³⁰Her young ones also suck up blood: and where the slain are, there is she.