1-2Job, you challenged Almighty God;

will you give up now, or will you answer?

Job

3-4I spoke foolishly, Lord. What can I answer?

I will not try to say anything else.

5I have already said more than I should.

6Then out of the storm the Lord spoke to Job once again.

The Lord

7Now stand up straight

and answer my questions.

8Are you trying to prove that I am unjust—

to put me in the wrong and yourself in the right?

9Are you as strong as I am?

Can your voice thunder as loud as mine?

10If so, stand up in your honor and pride;

clothe yourself with majesty and glory.

11Look at those who are proud;

pour out your anger and humble them.

12Yes, look at them and bring them down;

crush the wicked where they stand.

13Bury them all in the ground;

bind them in the world of the dead.

14Then I will be the first to praise you

and admit that you won the victory yourself.

15Look at the monster Behemoth;+

I created him and I created you.

He eats grass like a cow,

16but what strength there is in his body,

and what power there is in his muscles!

17His tail stands up like a cedar,

and the muscles in his legs are strong.

18His bones are as strong as bronze,

and his legs are like iron bars.

19The most amazing of all my creatures!

Only his Creator can defeat him.

20Grass to feed him grows

on the hills where wild beasts play.+

21He lies down under the thorn bushes,

and hides among the reeds in the swamp.

22The thorn bushes and the willows by the stream

give him shelter in their shade.

23He is not afraid of a rushing river;

he is calm when the Jordan dashes in his face.

24Who can blind his eyes and capture him?

Or who can catch his snout in a trap?