[1] The LORD responded to Job, [2] "Will the person who finds fault with the Almighty correct him? Will the person who argues with God answer him?" [3] Job answered the LORD, [4] "I'm so insignificant. How can I answer you? I will put my hand over my mouth. [5] I spoke once, but I can't answer- twice, but not again." [6] Then the LORD responded to Job out of a storm, [7] "Brace yourself like a man! I will ask you, and you will teach me. [8] "Would you undo my justice? Would you condemn me so that you can be righteous? [9] Do you have power like God's? Can you thunder with a voice like his? [10] Then dress yourself in majesty and dignity. Clothe yourself in splendor and glory. [11] Unleash your outbursts of anger. Look at all who are arrogant, and put them down. [12] Look at all who are arrogant, and humble them. Crush wicked people wherever they are. [13] Hide them completely in the dust, and cover their faces in the hidden place. [14] Then even I will praise you because your right hand can save you. [15] "Look at Behemoth, which I made along with you. It eats grass as cattle do. [16] Look at the strength in its back muscles, the power in its stomach muscles. [17] It makes its tail stiff like a cedar. The ligaments of its thighs are intertwined. [18] Its bones are bronze tubes. They are like iron bars. [19] Behemoth is the first of God's conquests. Its maker approaches it with his sword. [20] The hills bring it food, and all the wild animals play there. [21] It lies down under the lotus plants in a hiding place among reeds and swamps. [22] Lotus plants provide it with cover. Poplars by the stream surround it. [23] Though the river flows powerfully against it, it's not alarmed. It's confident even when the Jordan rushes against its mouth. [24] Can anyone blind its eyes or pierce its nose with snares?
