1And the Lord addressed Job, and said,

2Will he that contendeth with the Almighty yet find fault? him that reproveth God answer this.

3Then answered Job the Lord, and said,

4Behold, I am too vile: what shall I answer thee? my hand do I place on my mouth.

5Once have I spoken; but I will not answer: yea, twice; but I will not repeat it again.

6Then answered the Lord unto Job out of the storm-wind, and said,

7Do but gird up like a mighty man thy loins: I will ask thee, and do thou inform me.

8Wilt thou indeed annul my decree? wilt thou condemn me, in order that thou mayest appear righteous?

9But if thou hast an arm like God, or if thou canst thunder loudly like him:

10Then do deck thyself with excellence and greatness, and clothe thyself in majesty and glory.

11Scatter abroad the ragings of thy wrath, and look on every proud one, and humble him.

12Look on every proud one, and bend him low; and tread down the wicked in their place.

13Hide them in the dust altogether: bind up their faces in concealment.

14Then will I also myself praise thee, when thy own right hand hath helped thee.

15Only behold Behemoth, which I made near thee: grass he eateth like the ox.

16Only see, [how great] is his strength in his loins, and his force, in the muscles of his belly.

17He stretcheth out his tail like a cedar: the sinews of his loins are closely wrapped together.

18His bones are like pipes of brass: his frame is like bars of iron.

19He is the first in rank of the works of God: he that made him can alone bring his sword near unto him.

20But truly the mountains bear for him his food, and all the beasts of the field play there.

21Under shady trees he lieth down, in the covert of the reeds, and swamp.

22Shady trees cover him as his shadow: willows of the brook encompass him about.

23Behold, a river sweepeth violently along, but he hasteneth not away: he remaineth quiet, though a Jordan rusheth up to his mouth.

24Can one catch him before his eyes? pierce his nose by means of snares?—