[1] Knowest thou the time when the wild goats of the rock bring forth? or canst thou mark when the hinds do calve?
[2] Canst thou number the months that they fulfill? or knowest thou the time when they bring forth?
[3] They bow themselves, they bring forth their young, they cast out their sorrows.
[4] Their young ones are in good liking, they grow up in the open field; they go forth, and return not again,
[5] Who hath sent out the wild ass free? or who hath loosed the bands of the wild ass?
[6] Whose house I have made the wilderness, and the salt land his dwelling place.
[7] He scorneth the tumult of the city, neither heareth he the shoutings of the driver.
[8] The range of the mountains is his pasture, and he searcheth after every green thing.
[9] Will the wild-ox be content to serve thee? or will he abide by thy crib?
[10] Canst thou bind the wild-ox with his band in the furrow? or will he harrow the valleys after thee?
[11] Wilt thou trust him, because his strength is great? or wilt thou leave to him thy labour?
[12] Wilt thou confide in him, that he will bring home thy seed, and gather the corn of thy threshingfloor?
[13] The wing of the ostrich rejoiceth, but are her pinions and feathers kindly?
[14] For she leaveth her eggs on the earth, and warmeth them in the dust,
[15] And forgetteth that the foot may crush them, or that the wild beast may trample them.
[16] She is hardened against her young ones, as if they were not hers: though her labour be in vain, she is without fear;
[17] Because God hath deprived her of wisdom, neither hath he imparted to her understanding.
[18] What time she lifteth up herself on high, she scorneth the horse and his rider.
[19] Hast thou given the horse his might? hast thou clothed his neck with the quivering mane?
[20] Hast thou made him to leap as a locust? the glory of his snorting is terrible.
[21] He paweth in the valley, and rejoiceth in his strength: he goeth out to meet the armed men.
[22] He mocketh at fear, and is not dismayed; neither turneth he back from the sword.
[23] The quiver rattleth against him, the flashing spear and the javelin.
[24] He swalloweth the ground with fierceness and rage; neither believeth he that it is the voice of the trumpet.
[25] As oft as the trumpet soundeth he saith, Aha! and he smelleth the battle afar off, the thunder of the captains, and the shouting.
[26] Doth the hawk soar by thy wisdom, and stretch her wings toward the south?
[27] Doth the eagle mount up at thy command, and make her nest on high?
[28] She dwelleth on the rock, and hath her lodging there, upon the crag of the rock, and the strong hold.
[29] From thence she spieth out the prey; her eyes behold it afar off.
[30] Her young ones also suck up blood: and where the slain are, there is she.