New Living Translation NLT
The Message Bible MSG
1 Then the LORD answered Job from the whirlwind:
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And now, finally, God answered Job from the eye of a violent storm. He said:
2 “Who is this that questions my wisdom with such ignorant words?
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"Why do you confuse the issue? Why do you talk without knowing what you're talking about?
3 Brace yourself like a man, because I have some questions for you, and you must answer them.
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Pull yourself together, Job! Up on your feet! Stand tall! I have some questions for you, and I want some straight answers.
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 created the earth? Tell me, since you know so much!
5 Who determined its dimensions and stretched out the surveying line?
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Who decided on its size? Certainly you'll know that! Who came up with the blueprints and measurements?
6 What supports its foundations, and who laid its cornerstone
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How was its foundation poured, and who set the cornerstone,
7 as the morning stars sang together and all the angels shouted for joy?
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While the morning stars sang in chorus and all the angels shouted praise?
8 “Who kept the sea inside its boundaries as it burst from the womb,
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And who took charge of the ocean when it gushed forth like a baby from the womb?
9 and as I clothed it with clouds and wrapped it in thick darkness?
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That was me! I wrapped it in soft clouds, and tucked it in safely at night.
10 For I locked it behind barred gates, limiting its shores.
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Then I made a playpen for it, a strong playpen so it couldn't run loose,
11 I said, ‘This far and no farther will you come. Here your proud waves must stop!’
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And said, 'Stay here, this is your place. Your wild tantrums are confined to this place.'
12 “Have you ever commanded the morning to appear and caused the dawn to rise in the east?
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"And have you ever ordered Morning, 'Get up!' told Dawn, 'Get to work!'
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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So you could seize Earth like a blanket and shake out the wicked like cockroaches?
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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As the sun brings everything to light, brings out all the colors and shapes,
15 The light disturbs the wicked and stops the arm that is raised in violence.
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The cover of darkness is snatched from the wicked - they're caught in the very act!
16 “Have you explored the springs from which the seas come? Have you explored their depths?
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"Have you ever gotten to the true bottom of things, explored the labyrinthine caves of deep ocean?
17 Do you know where the gates of death are located? Have you seen the gates of utter gloom?
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Do you know the first thing about death? Do you have one clue regarding death's dark mysteries?
18 Do you realize the extent of the earth? Tell me about it if you know!
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And do you have any idea how large this earth is? Speak up if you have even the beginning of an answer.
19 “Where does light come from, and where does darkness go?
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"Do you know where Light comes from and where Darkness lives
20 Can you take each to its home? Do you know how to get there?
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So you can take them by the hand and lead them home when they get lost?
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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Why, of course you know that. You've known them all your life, grown up in the same neighborhood with them!
22 “Have you visited the storehouses of the snow or seen the storehouses of hail?
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"Have you ever traveled to where snow is made, seen the vault where hail is stockpiled,
23 (I have reserved them as weapons for the time of trouble, for the day of battle and war.)
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The arsenals of hail and snow that I keep in readiness for times of trouble and battle and war?
24 Where is the path to the source of light? Where is the home of the east wind?
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Can you find your way to where lightning is launched, or to the place from which the wind blows?
25 “Who created a channel for the torrents of rain? Who laid out the path for the lightning?
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Who do you suppose carves canyons for the downpours of rain, and charts the route of thunderstorms
26 Who makes the rain fall on barren land, in a desert where no one lives?
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That bring water to unvisited fields, deserts no one ever lays eyes on,
27 Who sends rain to satisfy the parched ground and make the tender grass spring up?
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Drenching the useless wastelands so they're carpeted with wildflowers and grass?
28 “Does the rain have a father? Who gives birth to the dew?
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And who do you think is the father of rain and dew,
29 Who is the mother of the ice? Who gives birth to the frost from the heavens?
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the mother of ice and frost?
30 For the water turns to ice as hard as rock, and the surface of the water freezes.
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You don't for a minute imagine these marvels of weather just happen, do you?
31 “Can you direct the movement of the stars— binding the cluster of the Pleiades or loosening the cords of Orion?
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"Can you catch the eye of the beautiful Pleiades sisters, or distract Orion from his hunt?
32 Can you direct the constellations through the seasons or guide the Bear with her cubs across the heavens?
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Can you get Venus to look your way, or get the Great Bear and her cubs to come out and play?
33 Do you know the laws of the universe? Can you use them to regulate the earth?
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Do you know the first thing about the sky's constellations and how they affect things on Earth?
34 “Can you shout to the clouds and make it rain?
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"Can you get the attention of the clouds, and commission a shower of rain?
35 Can you make lightning appear and cause it to strike as you direct?
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Can you take charge of the lightning bolts and have them report to you for orders? What Do You Have to Say for Yourself?
36 Who gives intuition to the heart and instinct to the mind?
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"Who do you think gave weather-wisdom to the ibis, and storm-savvy to the rooster?
37 Who is wise enough to count all the clouds? Who can tilt the water jars of heaven
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Does anyone know enough to number all the clouds or tip over the rain barrels of heaven
38 when the parched ground is dry and the soil has hardened into clods?
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When the earth is cracked and dry, the ground baked hard as a brick?
39 “Can you stalk prey for a lioness and satisfy the young lions’ appetites
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"Can you teach the lioness to stalk her prey and satisfy the appetite of her cubs
40 as they lie in their dens or crouch in the thicket?
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As they crouch in their den, waiting hungrily in their cave?
41 Who provides food for the ravens when their young cry out to God and wander about in hunger?
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And who sets out food for the ravens when their young cry to God, fluttering about because they have no food?
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.
Published by permission. Originally published by NavPress in English as THE MESSAGE: The Bible in Contemporary Language copyright 2002 by Eugene Peterson. All rights reserved.