Chapter 38

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

  Who is this that darkeneth counsel by words without knowledge?  

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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