Job 38

The Lord Challenges Job

1. Then the Lord answered Job from the whirlwind:

2. “Who is this that questions my wisdom 2 with such ignorant words?

3. Brace yourself like a man, 3 because I have some questions for you, 3 and you must answer them.

4. “Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth? 4 Tell me, if you know so much.

5. Who determined its dimensions 5 and stretched out the surveying line?

6. What supports its foundations, 6 and who laid its cornerstone

7. as the morning stars sang together 7 and all the angels[a] shouted for joy?

8. “Who kept the sea inside its boundaries 8 as it burst from the womb,

9. and as I clothed it with clouds 9 and wrapped it in thick darkness?

10. For I locked it behind barred gates, 10 limiting its shores.

11. I said, ‘This far and no farther will you come. 11 Here your proud waves must stop!’

12. “Have you ever commanded the morning to appear 12 and caused the dawn to rise in the east?

13. Have you made daylight spread to the ends of the earth, 13 to bring an end to the night’s wickedness?

14. As the light approaches, 14 the earth takes shape like clay pressed beneath a seal; 14 it is robed in brilliant colors.[b]

15. The light disturbs the wicked 15 and stops the arm that is raised in violence.

16. “Have you explored the springs from which the seas come? 16 Have you explored their depths?

17. Do you know where the gates of death are located? 17 Have you seen the gates of utter gloom?

18. Do you realize the extent of the earth? 18 Tell me about it if you know!

19. “Where does light come from, 19 and where does darkness go?

20. Can you take each to its home? 20 Do you know how to get there?

21. But of course you know all this! 21 For you were born before it was all created, 21 and you are so very experienced!

22. “Have you visited the storehouses of the snow 22 or seen the storehouses of hail?

23. (I have reserved them as weapons for the time of trouble, 23 for the day of battle and war.)

24. Where is the path to the source of light? 24 Where is the home of the east wind?

25. “Who created a channel for the torrents of rain? 25 Who laid out the path for the lightning?

26. Who makes the rain fall on barren land, 26 in a desert where no one lives?

27. Who sends rain to satisfy the parched ground 27 and make the tender grass spring up?

28. “Does the rain have a father? 28 Who gives birth to the dew?

29. Who is the mother of the ice? 29 Who gives birth to the frost from the heavens?

30. For the water turns to ice as hard as rock, 30 and the surface of the water freezes.

31. “Can you direct the movement of the stars— 31 binding the cluster of the Pleiades 31 or loosening the cords of Orion?

32. Can you direct the constellations through the seasons 32 or guide the Bear with her cubs across the heavens?

33. Do you know the laws of the universe? 33 Can you use them to regulate the earth?

34. “Can you shout to the clouds 34 and make it rain?

35. Can you make lightning appear 35 and cause it to strike as you direct?

36. Who gives intuition to the heart 36 and instinct to the mind?

37. Who is wise enough to count all the clouds? 37 Who can tilt the water jars of heaven

38. when the parched ground is dry 38 and the soil has hardened into clods?

39. “Can you stalk prey for a lioness 39 and satisfy the young lions’ appetites

40. as they lie in their dens 40 or crouch in the thicket?

41. Who provides food for the ravens 41 when their young cry out to God 41 and wander about in hunger?

Footnotes:
a. 38:7: Hebrew the sons of God.
b. 38:14: Or its features stand out like folds in a robe.