[1] The LORD said to Job: [2] "Will the person who argues with the Almighty correct him? Let the person who accuses God answer him." [3] Then Job answered the LORD: [4] "I am not worthy; I cannot answer you anything, so I will put my hand over my mouth. [5] I spoke one time, but I will not answer again; I even spoke two times, but I will say nothing more." [6] Then the LORD spoke to Job from the storm: [7] "Be strong, like a man! I will ask you questions, and you must answer me. [8] Would you say that I am unfair? Would you blame me to make yourself look right? [9] Are you as strong as God? Can your voice thunder like his? [10] If so, then decorate yourself with glory and beauty; dress in honor and greatness as if they were clothing. [11] Let your great anger punish; look at the proud and bring them down. [12] Look at the proud and make them humble. Crush the wicked wherever they are. [13] Bury them all in the dirt together; cover their faces in the grave. [14] If you can do that, then I myself will praise you, because you are strong enough to save yourself. [15] "Look at Behemoth, which I made just as I made you. It eats grass like an ox. [16] Look at the strength it has in its body; the muscles of its stomach are powerful. [17] Its tail is like a cedar tree; the muscles of its thighs are woven together. [18] Its bones are like tubes of bronze; its legs are like bars of iron. [19] It is one of the first of God's works, but its Maker can destroy it. [20] The hills, where the wild animals play, provide food for it. [21] It lies under the lotus plants, hidden by the tall grass in the swamp. [22] The lotus plants hide it in their shadow; the poplar trees by the streams surround it. [23] If the river floods, it will not be afraid; it is safe even if the Jordan River rushes to its mouth. [24] Can anyone blind its eyes and capture it? Can anyone put hooks in its nose?
