1 The LORD continued his response to Job by saying: ISV — Job 40:1
2 “Should the one who is fighting the Almighty find fault with him? a40:2 The Heb. lacks him Let God’s accuser answer.” ISV — Job 40:2
3 Then Job replied to the LORD. He said: ISV — Job 40:3
4 “I must look insignificant to you! How can I answer you? I’m speechless. b40:4 Lit. I put my hand over my mouth ISV — Job 40:4
5 I spoke once, but I can’t answer; I tried c40:5 The Heb. lacks tried a second time, but I won’t do so anymore.” ISV — Job 40:5
6 The LORD answered Job from the wind storm and told him: ISV — Job 40:6
7 “Stand up d40:7 Lit. Gird up your loins like a man! I’ll ask you some questions, and you give me some answers! ISV — Job 40:7
8 Indeed would you annul my justice and condemn me, just so you can claim that you’re righteous? ISV — Job 40:8
9 Do you have strength e40:9 Lit. have an arm like God? Can you create thunder with a sound f40:9 Lit. voice like he can?” ISV — Job 40:9
10 “When you have adorned yourself with exalted majesty, clothed yourself with splendor and dignity, g40:10 Lit. splendor and majesty ISV — Job 40:10
11 dispensed the fury of your anger, made sure h40:11 Lit. see that you have humbled every proud person, ISV — Job 40:11
12 stared down and subdued every proud person, trampled the wicked right where they are, ISV — Job 40:12
13 buried i40:13 MT has hide them in the dust together, and sent them bound to that secret place, j40:13 i.e. the afterlife ISV — Job 40:13
14 then I will applaud you myself! I’ll admit that you can deliver yourself by your own efforts!” ISV — Job 40:14
15 “Please observe k40:15 Lit. look Behemoth, l40:15 i.e. an ancient, gigantic herbivore, living in Job’s time but now apparently extinct which I made along with you. He eats grass like an ox. ISV — Job 40:15
16 Now take a look at the strength that he has in his loins, and in the muscles of his abdomen. ISV — Job 40:16
17 His tail protrudes stiffly, like cedar; m40:17 i.e. a genus of coniferous evergreen in the family Pinaceae the sinews of his thigh interlink for strength. ISV — Job 40:17
18 His bones are conduits n40:18 Or channels of bronze; o40:18 Or copper his strong bones are like bars of iron. ISV — Job 40:18
19 He is the grandest p40:19 Or first of God’s undertakings, q40:19 Lit. ways yet his creator is approaching him with his sword. r40:19 i.e. God was about to make Behemoth extinct ISV — Job 40:19
20 Mountains produce food for him, where all the wild animals frolic. ISV — Job 40:20
21 He lies under the lotus trees, hiding under reeds and marshes. s40:21 Lit. reed and marsh ISV — Job 40:21
22 The lotus trees cover him with their shade, and willows that line the wadis t40:22 i.e. seasonal streams that channel water during rain seasons but are dry at other times surround him. ISV — Job 40:22
23 What you see as a raging river doesn’t alarm him; he is confident when the Jordan overflows. ISV — Job 40:23
24 Are your eyes looking to capture him, or to pierce his snout with a bridle?” ISV — Job 40:24