< Job 38

[1] Then the LORD answered Job out of the whirlwind, and said,

[2] Who is this that darkeneth counsel by words without knowledge?

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

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

[5] Who hath laid the measures thereof, if thou knowest? or who hath stretched the line upon it?

[6] Whereupon are the foundations thereof fastened? or who laid the corner stone thereof;

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

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

[9] When I made the cloud the garment thereof, and thick darkness a swaddlingband for it,

[10] And brake up for it my decreed place, and set bars and doors,

[11] And said, Hitherto shalt thou come, but no further: and here shall thy proud waves be stayed?

[12] Hast thou commanded the morning since thy days; and caused the dayspring to know his place;

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

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

[15] And from the wicked their light is withholden, and the high arm shall be broken.

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

[17] Have the gates of death been opened unto thee? or hast thou seen the doors of the shadow of death?

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

[19] Where is the way where light dwelleth? and as for darkness, where is the place thereof,

[20] That thou shouldest take it to the bound thereof, and that thou shouldest know the paths to the house thereof?

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

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

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

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

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

[26] To cause it to rain on the earth, where no man is; on the wilderness, wherein there is no man;

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

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

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

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

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

[32] Canst thou bring forth Mazzaroth in his season? or canst thou guide Arcturus with his sons?

[33] Knowest thou the ordinances of heaven? canst thou set the dominion thereof in the earth?

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

[35] Canst thou send lightnings, that they may go and say unto thee, Here we are?

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

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

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

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

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

[41] Who provideth for the raven his food? when his young ones cry unto God, they wander for lack of meat.