Job 40 — Divine Challenge and Behemoth

1Moreover Jehovah answered Job, and said,💡

2Shall he that cavilleth contend with the Almighty? He that argueth with God, let him answer it.💡

3Then Job answered Jehovah, and said,💡

4Behold, I am of small account; What shall I answer thee? I lay my hand upon my mouth.💡

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

6Then Jehovah answered Job out of the whirlwind, and said,💡

7Gird up thy loins now like a man: I will demand of thee, and declare thou unto me.💡

8Wilt thou even annul my judgment? Wilt thou condemn me, that thou mayest be justified?💡

9Or hast thou an arm like God? And canst thou thunder with a voice like him?💡

10Deck thyself now with excellency and dignity; And array thyself with honor and majesty.💡

11Pour forth the overflowings of thine anger; And look upon every one that is proud, and abase him.💡

12Look on every one that is proud, and bring him low; And tread down the wicked where they stand.💡

13Hide them in the dust together; Bind their faces in the hidden place.💡

14Then will I also confess of thee That thine own right hand can save thee.💡

15Behold now, behemoth, which I made as well as thee; He eateth grass as an ox.💡

16Lo now, his strength is in his loins, And his force is in the muscles of his belly.💡

17He moveth his tail like a cedar: The sinews of his thighs are knit together.💡

18His bones are as tubes of brass; His limbs are like bars of iron.💡

19He is the chief of the ways of God: He only that made him giveth him his sword.💡

20Surely the mountains bring him forth food, Where all the beasts of the field do play.💡

21He lieth under the lotus-trees, In the covert of the reed, and the fen.💡

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

23Behold, if a river overflow, he trembleth not; He is confident, though a Jordan swell even to his mouth.💡

24Shall any take him when he is on the watch, Or pierce through his nose with a snare?💡