Job 38

The Lord Speaks 1The LORD spoke to Job out of a storm. He said,

2“Who do you think you are to disagree with my plans? You do not know what you are talking about.

3Get ready to stand up for yourself. I will ask you some questions. Then I want you to answer me.

4“Where were you when I laid the earth’s foundation? Tell me, if you know.

5Who measured it? I am sure you know! Who stretched a measuring line across it?

6What was it built on? Who laid its most important stone?

7When it happened, the morning stars sang together. All the angels shouted with joy.

8“Who created the ocean? Who caused it to be born?

9I put clouds over it as if they were its clothes. I wrapped it in thick darkness.

10I set limits for it. I put its doors and metal bars in place.

11I said, ‘You can come this far. But you can’t come any farther. Here is where your proud waves have to stop.’

12“Job, have you ever commanded the morning to come? Have you ever shown the sun where to rise?

13The daylight takes the earth by its edges as if it were a blanket. Then it shakes sinful people out of it.

14The earth takes shape like clay stamped with an official’s mark. Its features stand out like the different parts of your clothes.

15Sinners would rather have darkness than light. When the light comes, their power is broken.

16“Have you traveled to the springs at the bottom of the ocean? Have you walked in its deepest parts?

17Have the gates of death been shown to you? Have you seen the gates of the deepest darkness?

18Do you understand how big the earth is? Tell me, if you know all these things.

19“Where does light come from? And where does darkness live?

20Can you take them to their places? Do you know the paths to their houses?

21I am sure you know! After all, you were already born! You have lived so many years!

22“Have you entered the places where the snow is kept? Have you seen the storerooms for the hail?

23I store up snow and hail for times of trouble. I keep them for days of war and battle.

24Where does lightning come from? Where do the east winds live that blow across the earth?

25Who tells the rain where it should fall? Who makes paths for the thunderstorms?

26They bring water to places where no one lives. They water deserts that do not have anyone in them.

27They satisfy the needs of dry and empty lands. They make grass start growing there.

28Does the rain have a father? Who is the father of the drops of dew?

29Does the ice have a mother? Who is the mother of the frost from the heavens?

30The waters become as hard as stone. The surface of the ocean freezes over.

31“Can you tie up the cords of the Pleiades? Can you untie the belt that Orion wears?

32Can you bring out all the stars in their seasons? Can you lead out the Big Dipper and the Little Dipper?

33Do you know the laws that govern the heavens? Can you rule over the earth the way I do?

34“Can you give orders to the clouds? Can you make them pour rain down on you?

35Do you send the lightning bolts on their way? Do they report to you, ‘Here we are’?

36Who gives the ibis wisdom? Who gives the rooster understanding?

37Who is wise enough to count the clouds? Who can tip over the water jars of the heavens?

38I tip them over when the ground becomes hard. I do it when the dirt sticks together.

39“Do you hunt for food for mother lions? Do you satisfy the hunger of their cubs?

40Some of them lie low in their dens. Others lie waiting in the bushes. 41Who provides food for ravens when their babies cry out to me? They wander around because they do not have anything to eat.