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v1
Then ^[Hebrew “And”] Yahweh answered Job and said,
v2
“Shall a faultfinder contend with Shaddai? Anyone who argues with God must answer it.”
v3
So Job answered Yahweh and said,
v4
“Look, I am insignificant. What shall I answer you? I lay my hand on my mouth.
v5
Once I have spoken, and I will not answer; even ^[Hebrew “And”] twice, but ^[Or “and”] I will not proceed.”
v6
Then ^[Or “And”] Yahweh answered Job from the storm, and he said,
v7
“Prepare yourself for a difficult task like a man, ^[Literally “Gird up like a man your loins”] and I will question you, and you shall declare to me.
v8
“Indeed, would you annul my justice? Would you condemn me, so that you might be righteous?
v9
Or do you have an arm like God, and can you thunder with a voice like his?
v10
Adorn ^[The particle sometimes translated “please” is present, but an almighty God or sovereign king does not say “please” when commanding his subjects] yourself with pride and dignity, and clothe yourself with splendor.
v11
Pour out the overflowing of your anger, and look at all the proud, and humble them.
v12
Look at all the proud, humble them, and tread down the wicked where they stand. ^[Literally “in place of them”]
v13
Hide them in the dust together; bind their faces in the grave.
v14
And I will also praise you, that your own right hand can save you.
v15
“Look, Behemoth, ^[Some interpret as a hippopotamus] which I have made just as I made you; it eats grass like the ox.
v16
Look, its strength is in its loins and its power in the muscles of its stomach.
v17
It keeps its tail straight like a cedar; the sinews of its thighs are tightly wound.
v18
Its bones are tubes of copper, its limbs like rods of iron.
v19
“It is the first of God’s actions; the one who made him furnishes it with his sword. ^[See NET; nearly all other English translations: “Only his Maker can draw the sword against him” (NJPS; compare NLT), or “only its Maker can approach it with the sword” (NRSV, NIV, ESV, HCSB, NASU)]
v20
Yes, the mountains yield produce for it, and all wild animals ^[Literally “all the animals of the field”] play there.
v21
Under the lotus tree it lies, in the hiding place of the reeds and in the marsh.
v22
The lotus trees cover it with their shade; the wadi’s ^[A seasonal stream that is often dry] poplar trees surround it.
v23
Look, if the river is turbulent, it is not frightened; it is confident even though the Jordan rushes against its mouth.
v24
Can anyone take it by its eyes? Can he pierce its nose with a snare?