Chapter 38

38:1

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

38:2

Who is this that darkeneth counsel by words without knowledge?

38:3

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

38:4

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

38:5

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

38:6

Whereupon are the foundations thereof fastened? or who laid the corner stone thereof;

38:7

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

38:8

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

38:9

When I made the cloud the garment thereof, and thick darkness a swaddlingband for it,

38:10

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

38:11

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

38:12

Hast thou commanded the morning since thy days; and caused the dayspring to know his place;

38:13

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

38:14

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

38:15

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

38:16

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

38:17

Have the gates of death been opened unto thee? or hast thou seen the doors of the shadow of death?

38:18

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

38:19

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

38:20

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

38:21

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

38:22

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

38:23

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

38:24

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

38:25

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

38:26

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

38:27

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

38:28

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

38:29

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

38:30

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

38:31

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

38:32

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

38:33

Knowest thou the ordinances of heaven? canst thou set the dominion thereof in the earth?

38:34

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

38:35

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

38:36

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

38:37

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

38:38

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

38:39

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

38:40

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

38:41

Who provideth for the raven his food? when his young ones cry unto God, they wander for lack of meat.