Job 38
1 And now, finally, God answered Job from the eye of a violent
storm. He said:
2-11
"Why do you confuse the issue? Why do you talk without knowing what you're talking about? Pull yourself
together, Job! Up on your feet! Stand tall! I have some questions for you, and
I want some straight answers. Where were you when I created the earth? Tell me, since you know so
much! Who decided on its size? Certainly you'll know that! Who came up with the blueprints and measurements? How
was its foundation poured, and who set the cornerstone, While the morning stars sang in chorus and
all the angels shouted praise? And who took charge of the ocean when it gushed forth like a baby
from the womb? That was me! I wrapped it in soft clouds, and tucked it in safely at night. Then
I made a playpen for it, a strong playpen so it couldn't run loose, And said, 'Stay here, this is
your place. Your wild tantrums are confined to this place.'
12-15
"And have you ever ordered Morning, 'Get up!' told Dawn, 'Get to work!' So you could seize Earth
like a blanket and shake out the wicked like cockroaches? As the sun brings everything to light,
brings out all the colors and shapes, The cover of darkness is snatched from the wicked— they're
caught in the very act!
16-18 "Have you ever gotten to the true bottom of things, explored
the labyrinthine caves of deep ocean? Do you know the first thing about death? Do you have one clue
regarding death's dark mysteries? And do you have any idea how large this earth is? Speak up if you
have even the beginning of an answer.
19-21 "Do you know where Light comes from and
where Darkness lives So you can take them by the hand and lead them home when they get lost? Why,
of course you know that. You've known them all your life, grown up in the
same neighborhood with them!
22-30 "Have you ever traveled to where snow is made, seen
the vault where hail is stockpiled, The arsenals of hail and snow that I keep in readiness for times
of trouble and battle and war? Can you find your way to where lightning is launched, or to the place
from which the wind blows? Who do you suppose carves canyons for the downpours of rain, and charts
the route of thunderstorms That bring water to unvisited fields, deserts no
one ever lays eyes on, Drenching the useless wastelands so they're carpeted with wildflowers and
grass? And who do you think is the father of rain and dew, the mother of ice and frost? You don't
for a minute imagine these marvels of weather just happen, do you?
31-33
"Can you catch the eye of the beautiful Pleiades sisters, or distract Orion from his hunt? Can you
get Venus to look your way, or get the Great Bear and her cubs to come out and play? Do you know
the first thing about the sky's constellations and how they affect things on Earth?
34-35 "Can you get the attention of the clouds, and commission a shower of rain? Can
you take charge of the lightning bolts and have them report to you for orders?
36-38 "Who do you think gave weather-wisdom to the ibis, and storm-savvy to the rooster? Does
anyone know enough to number all the clouds or tip over the rain barrels of heaven When the earth
is cracked and dry, the ground baked hard as a brick?
39-41 "Can
you teach the lioness to stalk her prey and satisfy the appetite of her cubs As they crouch in their
den, waiting hungrily in their cave? And who sets out food for the ravens when
their young cry to God, fluttering about because they have no food?"
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