Job 38:1-41 NIrV

[1] The LORD spoke to Job out of a storm. He said, [2] “Who do you think you are to disagree with my plans? You do not know what you are talking about. [3] Get ready to stand up for yourself. I will ask you some questions. Then I want you to answer me. [4] “Where were you when I laid the earth’s foundation? Tell me, if you know. [5] Who measured it? I am sure you know! Who stretched a measuring line across it? [6] What was it built on? Who laid its most important stone? [7] When it happened, the morning stars sang together. All the angels shouted with joy. [8] “Who created the ocean? Who caused it to be born? [9] I put clouds over it as if they were its clothes. I wrapped it in thick darkness. [10] I set limits for it. I put its doors and metal bars in place. [11] I said, ‘You can come this far. But you can’t come any farther. Here is where your proud waves have to stop.’ [12] “Job, have you ever commanded the morning to come? Have you ever shown the sun where to rise? [13] The daylight takes the earth by its edges as if it were a blanket. Then it shakes sinful people out of it. [14] The earth takes shape like clay stamped with an official’s mark. Its features stand out like the different parts of your clothes. [15] Sinners would rather have darkness than light. When the light comes, their power is broken. [16] “Have you traveled to the springs at the bottom of the ocean? Have you walked in its deepest parts? [17] Have the gates of death been shown to you? Have you seen the gates of the deepest darkness? [18] Do you understand how big the earth is? Tell me, if you know all these things. [19] “Where does light come from? And where does darkness live? [20] Can you take them to their places? Do you know the paths to their houses? [21] I am sure you know! After all, you were already born! You have lived so many years! [22] “Have you entered the places where the snow is kept? Have you seen the storerooms for the hail? [23] I store up snow and hail for times of trouble. I keep them for days of war and battle. [24] Where does lightning come from? Where do the east winds live that blow across the earth? [25] Who tells the rain where it should fall? Who makes paths for the thunderstorms? [26] They bring water to places where no one lives. They water deserts that do not have anyone in them. [27] They satisfy the needs of dry and empty lands. They make grass start growing there. [28] Does the rain have a father? Who is the father of the drops of dew? [29] Does the ice have a mother? Who is the mother of the frost from the heavens? [30] The waters become as hard as stone. The surface of the ocean freezes over. [31] “Can you tie up the cords of the Pleiades? Can you untie the belt that Orion wears? [32] Can you bring out all the stars in their seasons? Can you lead out the Big Dipper and the Little Dipper? [33] Do you know the laws that govern the heavens? Can you rule over the earth the way I do? [34] “Can you give orders to the clouds? Can you make them pour rain down on you? [35] Do you send the lightning bolts on their way? Do they report to you, ‘Here we are’? [36] Who gives the ibis wisdom? Who gives the rooster understanding? [37] Who is wise enough to count the clouds? Who can tip over the water jars of the heavens? [38] I tip them over when the ground becomes hard. I do it when the dirt sticks together. [39] “Do you hunt for food for mother lions? Do you satisfy the hunger of their cubs? [40] Some of them lie low in their dens. Others lie waiting in the bushes. [41] Who provides food for ravens when their babies cry out to me? They wander around because they do not have anything to eat.