[1] And the LORD said to Job: [2] "Shall a faultfinder contend with the
Almighty? He who argues with God, let him answer it." [3] Then Job answered
the LORD: [4] "Behold, I am of small account; what shall I answer thee? I
lay my hand on my mouth. [5] I have spoken once, and I will not answer;
twice, but I will proceed no further." [6] Then the LORD answered Job out
of the whirlwind: [7] "Gird up your loins like a man; I will question you,
and you declare to me. [8] Will you even put me in the wrong? Will you
condemn me that you may be justified? [9] Have you an arm like God, and can
you thunder with a voice like his? [10] "Deck yourself with majesty and
dignity; clothe yourself with glory and splendor. [11] Pour forth the
overflowings of your anger, and look on every one that is proud, and abase
him. [12] Look on every one that is proud, and bring him low; and tread
down the wicked where they stand. [13] Hide them all in the dust together;
bind their faces in the world below. [14] Then will I also acknowledge to
you, that your own right hand can give you victory. [15] "Behold,
Be'hemoth, which I made as I made you; he eats grass like an ox. [16]
Behold, his strength in his loins, and his power in the muscles of his
belly. [17] He makes his tail stiff like a cedar; the sinews of his thighs
are knit together. [18] His bones are tubes of bronze, his limbs like bars
of iron. [19] "He is the first of the works of God; let him who made him
bring near his sword! [20] For the mountains yield food for him where all
the wild beasts play. [21] Under the lotus plants he lies, in the covert of
the reeds and in the marsh. [22] For his shade the lotus trees cover him;
the willows of the brook surround him. [23] Behold, if the river is
turbulent he is not frightened; he is confident though Jordan rushes
against his mouth. [24] Can one take him with hooks, or pierce his nose
with a snare?
