The Lord Answers Job

38 Then the Lord qanswered Job out of the whirlwind and said:

2  “Who is this that rdarkens counsel by words swithout knowledge?

3  tDress for action1 like a man;

I will question you, and you make it known to me.

4  “Where were you when I ulaid the foundation of the earth?

Tell me, if you have understanding.

5  Who determined its measurements—surely you know!

Or who stretched the line upon it?

6  On what were its bases sunk,

or who laid its cornerstone,

7  when the morning stars vsang together

and all wthe sons of God xshouted for joy?

8  “Or who yshut in the sea with doors

when it burst out from the womb,

9  when I made clouds its garment

and zthick darkness its swaddling band,

10  and prescribed alimits for it

and set bars and doors,

11  and said, ‘Thus far shall you come, and no farther,

and here shall your bproud waves be stayed’?

12  “Have you ccommanded the morning since your days began,

and caused the dawn to know its place,

13  that it might take hold of dthe skirts of the earth,

and the wicked be eshaken out of it?

14  It is changed like clay under the seal,

and its features stand out like a garment.

15  From the wicked their flight is withheld,

and gtheir uplifted arm is broken.

16  “Have you hentered into the springs of the sea,

or walked in the recesses of the deep?

17  Have ithe gates of death been revealed to you,

or have you seen the gates of jdeep darkness?

18  Have you comprehended the expanse of the earth?

Declare, if you know all this.