Job 38

1 The LORD responded to Job from the whirlwind and said:ISV — Job 38:1

2 “Who is this who keeps darkening my counsel without knowing what he’s talking about?ISV — Job 38:2

3 Stand up ^{a38:3 Lit. Gird up your loins} like a man! I’ll ask you some questions, and you give me some answers!”ISV — Job 38:3

4 “Where were you when I laid the foundation of my earth? Tell me, ^{b38:4 Or declare} since you’re so informed!ISV — Job 38:4

5 Who set its measurement? Am I to assume you know? Who stretched a boundary line over it?ISV — Job 38:5

6 On what were its bases set? Who laid its corner stoneISV — Job 38:6

7 while the morning stars sang together and all the divine beings ^{c38:7 Lit. sons of God} shouted joyfully?ISV — Job 38:7

8 “Who ^{d38:8 Lit. and he} enclosed the sea with limits ^{e38:8 Lit. doors} when it gushed out of the womb,ISV — Job 38:8

9 when I made clouds to be its clothes and thick darkness its swaddling blanket,ISV — Job 38:9

10 when I proscribed a boundary for it, set in place bars and doors for it;ISV — Job 38:10

11 and said, ‘You may come only this far and no more. Your majestic waves will stop here.’?ISV — Job 38:11

12 “Have you ever commanded the morning at any time during your life? ^{f38:12 Lit. morning in your days} Do you know where the dawn lives,ISV — Job 38:12

13 where it seizes the edge of the earth and shakes the wicked out of it?ISV — Job 38:13

14 Like clay is molded by a signet ring, the earth’s hills and valleys ^{g38:14 The Heb. lacks the earth’s hills and valleys} then stand out like the colors of a garment.ISV — Job 38:14

15 Then from the wicked their light is withheld and their upraised arm is broken.ISV — Job 38:15

16 “Have you been to the source of the sea and walked about in the recesses of the deepest ocean?ISV — Job 38:16

17 Have the gates of death been revealed to you? Have you seen the gates of the deepest darkness?ISV — Job 38:17

18 Do you understand the breadth of the earth? Tell me, since you know it all!ISV — Job 38:18

19 “Where is the road to where the light lives? Or where does the darkness live?ISV — Job 38:19

20 Can you take it to its homeland, since you know the path to his house?ISV — Job 38:20

21 You should know! After all, you had been born back then, so the number of your days is great!ISV — Job 38:21

22 “Have you entered the storehouses of the snow or seen where the hail is stored,ISV — Job 38:22

23 which I’ve reserved for the tribulation to come, for the day of battle and war?ISV — Job 38:23

24 Where is the lightning diffused or the east wind scattered around the earth?ISV — Job 38:24

25 “Who cuts canals for storm floods, and paths for the lightning and thunder,ISV — Job 38:25

26 to bring rain upon a land without inhabitants, a desert in which no human beings live,ISV — Job 38:26

27 to satisfy a desolate and devastated desert, causing it to sprout vegetation?ISV — Job 38:27

28 “Does the rain have a father? Who fathered the dew?ISV — Job 38:28

29 Whose womb brings forth the ice? Who gives birth to frost out of an empty ^{h38:29 The Heb. lacks an empty} sky,ISV — Job 38:29

30 when water solidifies ^{i38:30 Or harden} like stone and the surface of the deepest sea freezes?ISV — Job 38:30

31 “Can you bind the chains of Pleiades or loosen the cords of Orion?ISV — Job 38:31

32 Can you bring out constellations in their season? Can you guide the Bear with her cubs?ISV — Job 38:32

33 Do you know the laws of the heavens? Can you regulate their authority over the earth?ISV — Job 38:33

34 “Can you call out to the clouds, so that abundant water drenches you?ISV — Job 38:34

35 Can you command the lightning, so that it goes forth and calls to you, ‘Look at us!’ ^{j38:35 Lit. Here we are}ISV — Job 38:35

36 “Who sets wisdom within you, or imbues your mind with understanding?ISV — Job 38:36

37 Who has the wisdom to be able to count the clouds, or to empty ^{k38:37 Lit. cause to rest, lie down} the water jars of heaven,ISV — Job 38:37

38 when dust dries into a mass and then breaks apart into clods?ISV — Job 38:38

39 “Can you hunt prey for the lioness to satisfy young lionsISV — Job 38:39

40 when they crouch in their dens and lie in ambush in their lairs?ISV — Job 38:40

41 Who prepares food for the raven, when its offspring cry out to God as they wander for lack of food?”ISV — Job 38:41