Job 40

CATHOLIC PUBLIC DOMAIN	NEW AMERICAN BIBLE
1 But the Lord, answering Job out of the whirlwind, said:	1 The LORD then said to Job:
2 Gird your waist like a man. I will question you, and you must answer me.	2 Will we have arguing with the Almighty by the critic? Let him who would correct God give answer!
3 Will you make my judgment null and void; and will you condemn me so that you may be justified?	3 Then Job answered the LORD and said:
4 And do you have an arm like God, or a voice like thunder?	4 Behold, I am of little account; what can I answer you? I put my hand over my mouth.
5 Envelop yourself with splendor, and raise yourself up on high, and be glorious, and put on splendid garments.	5 Though I have spoken once, I will not do so again; though twice, I will do so no more.
6 Scatter the arrogant with your wrath, and, when you see all the arrogant, humble them.	6 Then the LORD addressed Job out of the storm and said:
7 Look down upon each of the arrogant and confound them, and crush the impious in their place.	7 Gird up your loins now, like a man. I will question you, and you tell me the answers!
8 Hide them in the dust together and plunge their faces into the pit.	8 Would you refuse to acknowledge my right? Would you condemn me that you may be justified?
9 Then I will confess that your right hand is able to save you.	9 Have you an arm like that of God, or can you thunder with a voice like his?
10 Behold, the behemoth, whom I created along with you, eats hay like an ox.	10 Adorn yourself with grandeur and majesty, and array yourself with glory and splendor.
11 His strength is in his lower back, and his power is in the center of his abdomen.	11 Let loose the fury of your wrath;
12 He draws up his tail like a cedar; the sinews of his thighs have been drawn together.	12 tear down the wicked and shatter them. Bring down the haughty with a glance;
13 His bones are like pipes of brass; his cartilage is like plates of iron.	13 bury them in the dust together; in the hidden world imprison them.
14 He is the beginning of the ways of God, who made him; he will use him as his sword.	14 Then will I too acknowledge that your own right hand can save you.
15 The mountains bring forth grass for him; all the beasts of the field will play there.	15 See, besides you I made Behemoth, that feeds on grass like an ox.
16 He sleeps in the shadows, under the cover of branches, and in moist places.	16 Behold the strength in his loins, and his vigor in the sinews of his belly.
17 The shadows cover his shadow; the willows of the brook will encircle him.	17 He carries his tail like a cedar; the sinews of his thighs are like cables.
18 Behold, he will drink a river and not be amazed, and he has confidence that the Jordan could flow into his mouth.	18 His bones are like tubes of bronze; his frame is like iron rods.
19 He will seize him through his eyes, as if with a hook, and he will bore through his nostrils, as if with stakes.	19 He came at the beginning of God's ways, and was made the taskmaster of his fellows;
20 Can you draw out the leviathan with a hook, and can you bind his tongue with a cord?	20 For the produce of the mountains is brought to him, and of all wild animals he makes sport.
21 Can you place a ring in his nose, or bore through his jaw with an arm band?	21 Under the lotus trees he lies, in coverts of the reedy swamp.
22 Will he offer many prayers to you, or speak to you quietly?	22 The lotus trees cover him with their shade; all about him are the poplars on the bank.
23 Will he form a covenant with you, and will you accept him as a servant forever?	23 If the river grows violent, he is not disturbed; he is tranquil though the torrent surges about his mouth.
24 Will you play with him as with a bird, or tether him for your handmaids?	24 Who can capture him by his eyes, or pierce his nose with a trap?
25 Will your friends cut him into pieces, will dealers distribute him?	25 Can you lead about Leviathan with a hook, or curb his tongue with a bit?
26 Will you fill up bags with his hide, and let his head be used as a home for fishes?	26 Can you put a rope into his nose, or pierce through his cheek with a gaff?
27 Place your hand upon him; remember the battle and speak no more.	27 Will he then plead with you, time after time, or address you with tender words?
28 Behold, his hope will fail him, and in the sight of all, he will be thrown down.	28 Will he make an agreement with you that you may have him as a slave forever?
	29 Can you play with him, as with a bird? Can you put him in leash for your maidens?
	30 Will the traders bargain for him? Will the merchants divide him up?
	31 Can you fill his hide with barbs, or his head with fish spears?
	32 Once you but lay a hand upon him, no need to recall any other conflict!