New International Version NIV
Revised Standard Version RSV
1 The LORD said to Job:
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And the LORD said to Job:
2 “Will the one who contends with the Almighty correct him? Let him who accuses God answer him!”
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"Shall a faultfinder contend with the Almighty? He who argues with God, let him answer it."
3 Then Job answered the LORD:
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Then Job answered the LORD:
4 “I am unworthy—how can I reply to you? I put my hand over my mouth.
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"Behold, I am of small account; what shall I answer thee? I lay my hand on my mouth.
5 I spoke once, but I have no answer— twice, but I will say no more.”
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I have spoken once, and I will not answer; twice, but I will proceed no further."
6 Then the LORD spoke to Job out of the storm:
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Then the LORD answered Job out of the whirlwind:
7 “Brace yourself like a man; I will question you, and you shall answer me.
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"Gird up your loins like a man; I will question you, and you declare to me.
8 “Would you discredit my justice? Would you condemn me to justify yourself?
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Will you even put me in the wrong? Will you condemn me that you may be justified?
9 Do you have an arm like God’s, and can your voice thunder like his?
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Have you an arm like God, and can you thunder with a voice like his?
10 Then adorn yourself with glory and splendor, and clothe yourself in honor and majesty.
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"Deck yourself with majesty and dignity; clothe yourself with glory and splendor.
11 Unleash the fury of your wrath, look at all who are proud and bring them low,
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Pour forth the overflowings of your anger, and look on every one that is proud, and abase him.
12 look at all who are proud and humble them, crush the wicked where they stand.
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Look on every one that is proud, and bring him low; and tread down the wicked where they stand.
13 Bury them all in the dust together; shroud their faces in the grave.
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Hide them all in the dust together; bind their faces in the world below.
14 Then I myself will admit to you that your own right hand can save you.
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Then will I also acknowledge to you, that your own right hand can give you victory.
15 “Look at Behemoth, which I made along with you and which feeds on grass like an ox.
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"Behold, Be'hemoth, which I made as I made you; he eats grass like an ox.
16 What strength it has in its loins, what power in the muscles of its belly!
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Behold, his strength in his loins, and his power in the muscles of his belly.
17 Its tail sways like a cedar; the sinews of its thighs are close-knit.
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He makes his tail stiff like a cedar; the sinews of his thighs are knit together.
18 Its bones are tubes of bronze, its limbs like rods of iron.
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His bones are tubes of bronze, his limbs like bars of iron.
19 It ranks first among the works of God, yet its Maker can approach it with his sword.
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"He is the first of the works of God; let him who made him bring near his sword!
20 The hills bring it their produce, and all the wild animals play nearby.
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For the mountains yield food for him where all the wild beasts play.
21 Under the lotus plants it lies, hidden among the reeds in the marsh.
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Under the lotus plants he lies, in the covert of the reeds and in the marsh.
22 The lotuses conceal it in their shadow; the poplars by the stream surround it.
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For his shade the lotus trees cover him; the willows of the brook surround him.
23 A raging river does not alarm it; it is secure, though the Jordan should surge against its mouth.
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Behold, if the river is turbulent he is not frightened; he is confident though Jordan rushes against his mouth.
24 Can anyone capture it by the eyes, or trap it and pierce its nose?
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Can one take him with hooks, or pierce his nose with a snare?
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.
Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright 1952 [2nd edition, 1971] by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.