The Holy Bible
« Chapter 37 «--- Job ---» Chapter 39»
Job 38 : 1 - 41
Chapter 38
1 | Then the LORD answered Job out of the whirlwind, and said:
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2 | "Who is this who darkens counsel By words without knowledge?
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3 | Now prepare yourself like a man; I will question you, and you shall answer Me.
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4 | "Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth? Tell Me, if you have understanding.
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5 | Who determined its measurements? Surely you know! Or who stretched the line upon it?
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6 | To what were its foundations fastened? Or who laid its cornerstone,
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7 | When the morning stars sang together, And all the sons of God shouted for joy?
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8 | "Or who shut in the sea with doors, When it burst forth and issued from the womb;
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9 | When I made the clouds its garment, And thick darkness its swaddling band;
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10 | When I fixed My limit for it, And set bars and doors;
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11 | When I said, "This far you may come, but no farther, And here your proud waves must stop!'
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12 | "Have you commanded the morning since your days began, And caused the dawn to know its place,
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13 | That it might take hold of the ends of the earth, And the wicked be shaken out of it?
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14 | It takes on form like clay under a seal, And stands out like a garment.
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15 | From the wicked their light is withheld, And the upraised arm is broken.
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16 | "Have you entered the springs of the sea? Or have you walked in search of the depths?
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17 | Have the gates of death been revealed to you? Or have you seen the doors of the shadow of death?
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18 | Have you comprehended the breadth of the earth? Tell Me, if you know all this.
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19 | "Where is the way to the dwelling of light? And darkness, where is its place,
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20 | That you may take it to its territory, That you may know the paths to its home?
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21 | Do you know it, because you were born then, Or because the number of your days is great?
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22 | "Have you entered the treasury of snow, Or have you seen the treasury of hail,
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23 | Which I have reserved for the time of trouble, For the day of battle and war?
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24 | By what way is light diffused, Or the east wind scattered over the earth?
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25 | "Who has divided a channel for the overflowing water, Or a path for the thunderbolt,
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26 | To cause it to rain on a land where there is no one, A wilderness in which there is no man;
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27 | To satisfy the desolate waste, And cause to spring forth the growth of tender grass?
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28 | Has the rain a father? Or who has begotten the drops of dew?
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29 | From whose womb comes the ice? And the frost of heaven, who gives it birth?
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30 | The waters harden like stone, And the surface of the deep is frozen.
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31 | "Can you bind the cluster of the Pleiades, Or loose the belt of Orion?
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32 | Can you bring out Mazzaroth in its season? Or can you guide the Great Bear with its cubs?
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33 | Do you know the ordinances of the heavens? Can you set their dominion over the earth?
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34 | "Can you lift up your voice to the clouds, That an abundance of water may cover you?
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35 | Can you send out lightnings, that they may go, And say to you, "Here we are!'?
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36 | Who has put wisdom in the mind? Or who has given understanding to the heart?
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37 | Who can number the clouds by wisdom? Or who can pour out the bottles of heaven,
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38 | When the dust hardens in clumps, And the clods cling together?
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39 | "Can you hunt the prey for the lion, Or satisfy the appetite of the young lions,
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40 | When they crouch in their dens, Or lurk in their lairs to lie in wait?
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41 | Who provides food for the raven, When its young ones cry to God, And wander about for lack of food?
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Acknowledgement
Opening page