New Living Translation

New King James Version

Then the LORD said to Job,

1

God’s Power and Wisdom

Moreover the Lord answered Job, and said:

2

“Do you still want to argue with the Almighty?
You are God’s critic, but do you have the answers?”

2

“Shall the one who contends with the Almighty correct Him?
He who rebukes God, let him answer it.”

3

Job Responds to the LORD

Then Job replied to the LORD,

3

Job’s Response to God

Then Job answered the Lord and said:

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“I am nothing — how could I ever find the answers?
I will cover my mouth with my hand.

4

“Behold, I am vile;
What shall I answer You?
I lay my hand over my mouth.

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I have said too much already.
I have nothing more to say.”

5

Once I have spoken, but I will not answer;
Yes, twice, but I will proceed no further.”

6

The LORD Challenges Job Again

Then the LORD answered Job from the whirlwind:

6

God’s Challenge to Job

Then the Lord answered Job out of the whirlwind, and said:

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

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“Now [a]prepare yourself like a man;
I will question you, and you shall answer Me:

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“Will you discredit my justice
and condemn me just to prove you are right?

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“Would you indeed [b]annul My judgment?
Would you condemn Me that you may be justified?

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Are you as strong as God?
Can you thunder with a voice like his?

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Have you an arm like God?
Or can you thunder with a voice like His?

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All right, put on your glory and splendor,
your honor and majesty.

10

Then adorn yourself with majesty and splendor,
And array yourself with glory and beauty.

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Give vent to your anger.
Let it overflow against the proud.

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Disperse the rage of your wrath;
Look on everyone who is proud, and humble him.

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Humiliate the proud with a glance;
walk on the wicked where they stand.

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Look on everyone who is proud, and bring him low;
Tread down the wicked in their place.

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Bury them in the dust.
Imprison them in the world of the dead.

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Hide them in the dust together,
Bind their faces in hidden darkness.

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Then even I would praise you,
for your own strength would save you.

14

Then I will also confess to you
That your own right hand can save you.

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“Take a look at Behemoth,a
which I made, just as I made you.
It eats grass like an ox.

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“Look now at the [c]behemoth, which I made along with you;
He eats grass like an ox.

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See its powerful loins
and the muscles of its belly.

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See now, his strength is in his hips,
And his power is in his stomach muscles.

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Its tail is as strong as a cedar.
The sinews of its thighs are knit tightly together.

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He moves his tail like a cedar;
The sinews of his thighs are tightly knit.

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Its bones are tubes of bronze.
Its limbs are bars of iron.

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His bones are like beams of bronze,
His ribs like bars of iron.

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It is a prime example of God’s handiwork,
and only its Creator can threaten it.

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He is the first of the ways of God;
Only He who made him can bring near His sword.

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The mountains offer it their best food,
where all the wild animals play.

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Surely the mountains yield food for him,
And all the beasts of the field play there.

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It lies under the lotus plants,b
hidden by the reeds in the marsh.

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He lies under the lotus trees,
In a covert of reeds and marsh.

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The lotus plants give it shade
among the willows beside the stream.

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The lotus trees cover him with their shade;
The willows by the brook surround him.

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It is not disturbed by the raging river,
not concerned when the swelling Jordan rushes around it.

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Indeed the river may rage,
Yet he is not disturbed;
He is confident, though the Jordan gushes into his mouth,

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No one can catch it off guard
or put a ring in its nose and lead it away.

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Though he takes it in his eyes,
Or one pierces his nose with a snare.

Parallel

New Living Translation

New King James Version

Job 40

Job 40