[1] Then the Lord said to Job,
[2] “Do you still want to argue with the Almighty? You are God’s critic, but do you have the answers?”
[3] Then Job replied to the Lord,
[4] “I am nothing—how could I ever find the answers? I will cover my mouth with my hand.
[5] I have said too much already. I have nothing more to say.”
[6] Then the Lord answered Job from the whirlwind:
[7] “Brace yourself like a man, because I have some questions for you, and you must answer them.
[8] “Will you discredit my justice and condemn me just to prove you are right?
[9] Are you as strong as God? Can you thunder with a voice like his?
[10] All right, put on your glory and splendor, your honor and majesty.
[11] Give vent to your anger. Let it overflow against the proud.
[12] Humiliate the proud with a glance; walk on the wicked where they stand.
[13] Bury them in the dust. Imprison them in the world of the dead.
[14] Then even I would praise you, for your own strength would save you.
[15] “Take a look at Behemoth, which I made, just as I made you. It eats grass like an ox.
[16] See its powerful loins and the muscles of its belly.
[17] Its tail is as strong as a cedar. The sinews of its thighs are knit tightly together.
[18] Its bones are tubes of bronze. Its limbs are bars of iron.
[19] It is a prime example of God’s handiwork, and only its Creator can threaten it.
[20] The mountains offer it their best food, where all the wild animals play.
[21] It lies under the lotus plants, hidden by the reeds in the marsh.
[22] The lotus plants give it shade among the willows beside the stream.
[23] It is not disturbed by the raging river, not concerned when the swelling Jordan rushes around it.
[24] No one can catch it off guard or put a ring in its nose and lead it away.