1 From out of a storm,the Lord said to Job:
2 Why do you talk so muchwhen you know so little?
3 Now get ready to face me!Can you answerthe questions I ask?
4 How did I lay the foundationfor the earth?Were you there?
5 Doubtless you know who decidedits length and width.
6 What supports the foundation?Who placed the cornerstone,
7 while morning stars sang,and angels rejoiced?
8 When the ocean was born,I set its boundaries
9 and wrapped it in blanketsof thickest fog.
10 Then I built a wall around it,locked the gates,
11 and said,“Your powerful waves stop here!They can go no further.”
12 Did you ever tell the sun to rise?And did it obey?
13 Did it take hold of the earthand shake out the wickedlike dust from a rug?
14 Early dawn outlines the hillslike stitches on clothingor sketches on clay.
15 But its light is too muchfor those who are evil,and their power is broken.
16 Job, have you ever walkedon the ocean floor?
17 Have you seen the gateto the world of the dead?
18 And how large is the earth?Tell me, if you know!
19 Where is the home of light,and where does darkness live?
20 Can you lead them home?
21 I'm certain you must be able to,since you were already bornwhen I created everything.
22 Have you been to the placeswhere I keep snow and hail,
23 until I use them to punishand conquer nations?
24 From where does lightning leap,or the east wind blow?
25 Who carves out a pathfor thunderstorms?Who sends torrents of rain
26 on empty desertswhere no one lives?
27 Rain that changes barren landto meadows green with grass.
28 Who is the father of the dewand of the rain?
29 Who gives birth to the sleetand the frost
30 that fall in winter,when streams and lakesfreeze solid as a rock?
31 Can you arrange stars in groupssuch as Orionand the Pleiades?
32 Do you control the starsor set in place the Great Bearand the Little Bear?
33 Do you know the lawsthat govern the heavens,and can you make them rulethe earth?
34 Can you order the cloudsto send a downpour,
35 or will lightning flashat your command?
36 Did you teach birds to knowthat rain or floodsare on their way?
37 Can you count the cloudsor pour out their water
38 on the dry, lumpy soil?
39 When lions are hungry,do you help them hunt?
40 Do you send an animalinto their den?
41 And when starving young ravenscry out to me for food,do you satisfy their hunger?