1The Lord continued,
2 “I am the Mighty One.
Will the man who argues with me correct me?
Let him who brings charges against me answer me!”
3 Job replied to the Lord,
4 “I’m not worthy. How can I reply to you?
I’m putting my hand over my mouth. I’ll stop talking.
5 I spoke once. But I really don’t have any answer.
I spoke twice. But I won’t say anything else.”
6 Then the Lord spoke to Job out of the storm. He said,
7 “Get ready to stand up for yourself.
I will ask you some more questions.
Then I want you to answer me.
8 “Would you dare to claim that I am not being fair?
Would you judge me in order to make yourself seem right?
9 Is your arm as powerful as mine is?
Can your voice thunder as mine does?
10 Then put on glory and beauty as if they were your clothes.
Also put on honor and majesty.
11 Let loose your great anger.
Look at those who are proud and bring them low.
12 Look at proud people and make them humble.
Crush evil people right where they are.
13 Bury their bodies together in the dust.
Cover their faces in the grave.
14 Then I myself will admit to you
that your own right hand can save you.
15 “Look at Behemoth. It is a huge animal.
I made both of you.
It eats grass like an ox.
16 Look at the strength it has in its hips!
What power it has in the muscles of its stomach!
17 Its tail sways back and forth like a cedar tree.
The tendons of its thighs are close together.
18 Its bones are like tubes made out of bronze.
Its legs are like rods made out of iron.
19 It ranks first among my works.
I made it. I can approach it with my sword.
20 The hills produce food for it.
All the other wild animals play near it.
21 It lies under lotus plants.
It hides in tall grass in the swamps.
22 The lotus plants hide it in their shade.
Poplar trees near streams surround it.
23 It is not afraid when the river roars.
It is secure even when the Jordan River rushes against its mouth.
24 Can anyone capture it by its eyes?
Can anyone trap it and poke a hole through its nose?