40:1  And the LORD said to Job:

40:2  "Shall a faultfinder contend with the Almighty? He who argues with God, let him answer it."

40:3  Then Job answered the LORD:

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

40:5  I have spoken once, and I will not answer; twice, but I will proceed no further."

40:6  Then the LORD answered Job out of the whirlwind:

40:7  "Gird up your loins like a man; I will question you, and you declare to me.

40:8  Will you even put me in the wrong? Will you condemn me that you may be justified?

40:9  Have you an arm like God, and can you thunder with a voice like his?

40:10  "Deck yourself with majesty and dignity; clothe yourself with glory and splendor.

40:11  Pour forth the overflowings of your anger, and look on 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 where they stand.

40:13  Hide them all in the dust together; bind their faces in the world below.

40:14  Then will I also acknowledge to you, that your own right hand can give you victory.

40:15  "Behold, Be'hemoth, which I made as I made you; he eats grass like an ox.

40:16  Behold, his strength in his loins, and his power in the muscles of his belly.

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

40:18  His bones are tubes of bronze, his limbs like bars of iron.

40:19  "He is the first of the works of God; let him who made him bring near his sword!

40:20  For the mountains yield food for him where all the wild beasts play.

40:21  Under the lotus plants he lies, in the covert of the reeds and in the marsh.

40:22  For his shade the lotus trees cover him; the willows of the brook surround him.

40:23  Behold, if the river is turbulent he is not frightened; he is confident though Jordan rushes against his mouth.

40:24  Can one take him with hooks, or pierce his nose with a snare?