Job 40:1-24 AMPC

[1] Moreover, the Lord said to Job, [2] Shall he who would find fault with the Almighty contend with Him? He who disputes with God, let him answer it. [3] Then Job replied to the Lord: [4] Behold, I am of small account and vile! What shall I answer You? I lay my hand upon my mouth. [5] I have spoken once, but I will not reply again-indeed, twice [have I answered], but I will proceed no further. [6] Then the Lord answered Job out of the whirlwind, saying, [7] Gird up your loins now like a man; I will demand of you, and you answer Me. [8] Will you also annul (set aside and render void) My judgment? Will you condemn Me [your God], that you may [appear] righteous and justified? [9] Have you an arm like God? Or can you thunder with a voice like His? [10] [Since you question the manner of the Almighty's rule] deck yourself now with the excellency and dignity [of the Supreme Ruler, and yourself undertake the government of the world if you are so wise], and array yourself with honor and majesty. [11] Pour forth the overflowings of your anger, and look on everyone who is proud and abase him; [12] Look on everyone who is proud and bring him low, and tread down the wicked where they stand [if you are so able, Job]. [13] [Bury and] hide them all in the dust together; [and] shut them up [in the prison house of death]. [14] [If you can do all this, Job, proving yourself of divine might] then will I [God] praise you also [and acknowledge that] your own right hand can save you. [15] Behold now the behemoth (the hippopotamus), which I created as I did you; he eats grass like an ox. [16] See now, his strength is in his loins, and his power is in the sinews of his belly. [17] He moves his tail like a cedar tree; the tendons of his thighs are twisted together [like a rope]. [18] His bones are like tubes of bronze; his limbs [or ribs] are like bars of iron. [19] [The hippopotamus] is the first [in magnitude and power] of the works of God [in animal life]; [only] He Who made him provides him with his [swordlike tusks, or only God Who made him can bring near His sword to master him]. [20] Surely the mountains bring him food, where all the wild animals play. [21] He lies under the lotus trees, in the covert of the reeds in the marsh. [22] The lotus trees cover him with their shade; the willows of the brook compass him about. [23] Behold, if a river is violent and overflows, he does not tremble; he is confident, though the Jordan [River] swells and rushes against his mouth. [24] Can any take him when he is on the watch, or pierce through his nose with a snare?