New Living Translation NLT
New International Version NIV
1 Then the LORD answered Job from the whirlwind:
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Then the LORD spoke to Job out of the storm. He said:
2 “Who is this that questions my wisdom with such ignorant words?
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“Who is this that obscures my plans with words without knowledge?
3 Brace yourself like a man, because I have some questions for you, and you must answer them.
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Brace yourself like a man; I will question you, and you shall answer me.
4 “Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth? Tell me, if you know so much.
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“Where were you when I laid the earth’s foundation? Tell me, if you understand.
5 Who determined its dimensions and stretched out the surveying line?
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Who marked off its dimensions? Surely you know! Who stretched a measuring line across it?
6 What supports its foundations, and who laid its cornerstone
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On what were its footings set, or who laid its cornerstone—
7 as the morning stars sang together and all the angels shouted for joy?
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while the morning stars sang together and all the angels shouted for joy?
8 “Who kept the sea inside its boundaries as it burst from the womb,
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“Who shut up the sea behind doors when it burst forth from the womb,
9 and as I clothed it with clouds and wrapped it in thick darkness?
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when I made the clouds its garment and wrapped it in thick darkness,
10 For I locked it behind barred gates, limiting its shores.
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when I fixed limits for it and set its doors and bars in place,
11 I said, ‘This far and no farther will you come. Here your proud waves must stop!’
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when I said, ‘This far you may come and no farther; here is where your proud waves halt’?
12 “Have you ever commanded the morning to appear and caused the dawn to rise in the east?
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“Have you ever given orders to the morning, or shown the dawn its place,
13 Have you made daylight spread to the ends of the earth, to bring an end to the night’s wickedness?
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that it might take the earth by the edges and shake the wicked out of it?
14 As the light approaches, the earth takes shape like clay pressed beneath a seal; it is robed in brilliant colors.
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The earth takes shape like clay under a seal; its features stand out like those of a garment.
15 The light disturbs the wicked and stops the arm that is raised in violence.
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The wicked are denied their light, and their upraised arm is broken.
16 “Have you explored the springs from which the seas come? Have you explored their depths?
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“Have you journeyed to the springs of the sea or walked in the recesses of the deep?
17 Do you know where the gates of death are located? Have you seen the gates of utter gloom?
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Have the gates of death been shown to you? Have you seen the gates of the deepest darkness?
18 Do you realize the extent of the earth? Tell me about it if you know!
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Have you comprehended the vast expanses of the earth? Tell me, if you know all this.
19 “Where does light come from, and where does darkness go?
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“What is the way to the abode of light? And where does darkness reside?
20 Can you take each to its home? Do you know how to get there?
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Can you take them to their places? Do you know the paths to their dwellings?
21 But of course you know all this! For you were born before it was all created, and you are so very experienced!
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Surely you know, for you were already born! You have lived so many years!
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright© 1996, 2004, 2007, 2013 by
Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Scripture quoted by permission. Quotations designated (NIV) are from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica. All rights reserved worldwide.