JPS - Job - 40

40:1  Moreover HaShem answered Job, and said:

40:2  Shall he that reproveth contend with the Almighty? He that argueth with G-d, let him answer it.

40:3  Then Job answered HaShem, and said:

40:4  Behold, I am of small account; what shall I answer Thee? I lay my hand upon my mouth.

40:5  Once have I spoken, but I will not answer again; yea, twice, but I will proceed no further.

40:6  Then HaShem answered Job out of the whirlwind, and said:

40:7  Gird up thy loins now like a man; I will demand of thee, and declare thou unto Me.

40:8  Wilt thou even make void My judgment? Wilt thou condemn Me, that thou mayest be justified?

40:9  Or hast thou an arm like G-d? And canst thou thunder with a voice like Him?

40:10  Deck thyself now with majesty and excellency, and array thyself with glory and beauty.

40:11  Cast abroad the rage of thy wrath; and look upon every one that is proud, and abase him.

40:12  Look on every one that is proud, and bring him low; and tread down the wicked in their place.

40:13  Hide them in the dust together; bind their faces in the hidden place.

40:14  Then will I also confess unto thee that thine own right hand can save thee.

40:15  Behold now behemoth, which I made with thee; he eateth grass as an ox.

40:16  Lo now, his strength is in his loins, and his force is in the stays of his body.

40:17  He straineth his tail like a cedar; the sinews of his thighs are knit together.

40:18  His bones are as pipes of brass; his gristles are like bars of iron.

40:19  He is the beginning of the ways of G-d; He only that made him can make His sword to approach unto him.

40:20  Surely the mountains bring him forth food, and all the beasts of the field play there.

40:21  He lieth under the lotus-trees, in the covert of the reed, and fens.

40:22  The lotus-trees cover him with their shadow; the willows of the brook compass him about.

40:23  Behold, if a river overflow, he trembleth not; he is confident, though the Jordan rush forth to his mouth.

40:24  Shall any take him by his eyes, or pierce through his nose with a snare?

40:25  Canst thou draw out leviathan with a fish-hook? or press down his tongue with a cord?

40:26  Canst thou put a ring into his nose? or bore his jaw through with a hook?

40:27  Will he make many supplications unto thee? or will he speak soft words unto thee?

40:28  Will he make a covenant with thee, that thou shouldest take him for a servant for ever?

40:29  Wilt thou play with him as with a bird? Or wilt thou bind him for thy maidens?

40:30  Will the bands of fishermen make a banquet of him? Will they part him among the merchants?

40:31  Canst thou fill his skin with barbed irons? or his head with fish-spears?

40:32  Lay thy hand upon him; think upon the battle, thou wilt do so no more.