Chapter 38

  Then the LORD answered Job out of the whirlwind, and said,  

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  Who is this that darkeneth counsel by words without knowledge?  

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  Gird up now thy loins like a man; for I will demand of thee, and answer thou me.  

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  Where wast thou when I laid the foundations of the earth? declare, if thou hast understanding.  

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  Who hath laid the measures of it, if thou knowest? or who hath stretched the line upon it?  

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  Upon what are the foundations of it fastened? or who laid its corner stone;  

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  When the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy?  

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  Or who shut up the sea with doors, when it broke forth, as if it had issued out of the womb?  

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  When I made a cloud its garment, and thick darkness a swaddling band for it,  

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  And broke up for it my decreed place, and set bars and doors,  

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  And said, Hitherto shalt thou come, but no further: and here shall thy proud waves be stayed.  

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  Hast thou commanded the morning since thy days; and caused the day-spring to know its place;  

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  That it might take hold of the ends of earth, that the wicked might be shaken out of it?  

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  It is turned as clay to the seal; and they stand as a garment.  

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  And from the wicked their light is withheld, and the high arm shall be broken.  

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  Hast thou entered into the springs of the sea? or hast thou walked in the search of the depth?  

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  Have the gates of death been opened to thee? or hast thou seen the doors of the shades of death?  

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  Hast thou perceived the breadth of the earth? declare if thou knowest it all.  

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  Where is the way where light dwelleth? and as for darkness, where is its place,  

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  That thou shouldest take it to its bound, and that thou shouldest know the paths to its house?  

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  Knowest thou it, because thou wast then born? or because the number of thy days is great?  

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  Hast thou entered into the treasures of the snow? or hast thou seen the treasures of the hail,  

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  Which I have reserved against the time of trouble, against the day of battle and war?  

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  By what way is the light parted, which scattereth the east wind upon the earth?  

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  Who hath divided a watercourse for the overflowing of waters, or a way for the lightning of thunder;  

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  To cause it to rain on the earth, where no man is; on the wilderness in which there is no man;  

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  To satisfy the desolate and waste ground; and to cause the bud of the tender herb to spring forth?  

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  Hath the rain a father? or who hath begotten the drops of the dew?  

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  Out of whose womb came the ice? and the hoary frost of heaven, who hath gendered it?  

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  The waters are hid as with a stone, and the face of the deep is frozen.  

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  Canst thou bind the sweet influences of Pleiades, or loose the bands of Orion?  

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  Canst thou bring forth Mazzaroth in its season? or canst thou guide Arcturus with its sons?  

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  Knowest thou the ordinances of heaven? canst thou set its dominion on the earth?  

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  Canst thou lift thy voice to the clouds, that abundance of waters may cover thee?  

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  Canst thou send lightnings, that they may go, and say to thee, Here we are?  

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  Who hath put wisdom in the inward parts? or who hath given understanding to the heart?  

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  Who can number the clouds in wisdom? or who can stay the bottles of heaven,  

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  When the dust groweth into hardness, and the clods cleave fast together?  

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  Wilt thou hunt the prey for the lion? or fill the appetite of the young lions,  

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  When they couch in their dens, and abide in the covert to lie in wait?  

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  Who provideth for the raven his food? when his young ones cry to God, they wander for want of food.  

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