‏ Job 38

1Then did the Lord address Job out of the storm-wind, and said, 2Who is this that casteth darkness on my counsel by words without knowledge? 3Do but gird up like a mighty man thy loins: and I will ask thee, and do thou inform me. 4Where wast thou when I laid the foundations of the earth? tell it, if thou hast any understanding of it. 5Who fixed her measurements, if thou knowest it? or who stretched the measuring-line over her? 6Upon what are her foundation-pillars placed at rest? or who laid her corner-stone: 7When altogether sang the morning stars in gladness, and shouted for joy all the sons of God? 8And who closed up with doors the sea, when, issuing forth, it came out of the deep bosom of the earth? 9When I made the clouds its garment, and thick fog its swaddling-cloth, 10And when I decreed for it my law, and set for it bars and doors, 11And said, Thus far mayest thou come, but no farther; and here shall be stayed thy strength in the pride of thy waves? 12Didst thou ever, in all thy days, command the morning; didst thou ever assign the morning-dawn its place: 13That it might lay hold of the ends of the earth, so that the wicked might be shaken out therefrom? 14She is changed as the sealing-clay: and all things stand as though newly clad. 15And from the wicked is their light withdrawn, and the high-raised arm is broken. 16Didst thou ever penetrate as far as the springs of the sea? or wander through the bottom of the deep? 17Were the gates of death ever laid open unto thee? or canst thou see the doors of the shadow of death? 18Hast thou a clear understanding of the breadth of the earth? Tell it, if thou knowest it all. 19Where is the way to the spot where the light dwelleth? and the darkness—where is its place, 20That thou mightest take each to its boundary, and that thou mightest mark the pathways to its house? 21Thou surely knowest it; because thou wast then born, and the number of thy days is great! 22Didst thou ever enter into the treasuries of the snow? or canst thou see the treasuries of the hail, 23Which I have reserved for the time of distress, for the day of fight and battle? 24Where is the way to the spot where the light divideth itself, where the east wind is scattered over the earth? 25Who hath divided off watercourses for the overflowing rain, and a way for the lightning that is followed by thunders, 26To bring rain on a land, void of men; on a wilderness wherein no son of earth is found; 27To satisfy waste and desolate lands; and to promote the growth of the tender grass? 28Hath the rain a father? or who hath begotten the drops of the dew? 29Out of whose womb cometh forth the ice? and the hoary frost of heaven—who giveth birth to it? 30When like a stone the waters are congealed, and the face of the deep is bound in fetters? 31Canst thou bind together the chains of the Pleiades, or loosen the bands of Orion? 32Canst thou bring forth the constellations of the zodiac, each in its season? or canst thou guide the Bear with its young? 33Knowest thou the laws of heaven? or dost thou appoint its rule on the earth? 34Canst thou lift up to the clouds thy voice, that the abundance of waters may cover thee? 35Canst thou send out lightnings, that they may go, and say unto thee, Here are we? 36Who hath put wisdom in the dark clouds? or who hath given understanding to the bright meteors? 37Who ordaineth the skies with wisdom? or who emptieth out the bottles of heaven. 38When the dust is poured out as molten metal, and the clods are made to cleave fast together? 39Dost thou hunt for the lioness her prey? and suppliest thou the food for the young lions, 40When they are couched in their lairs, rest in the thicket, lying in wait? 41Who provideth for the raven his provision? when his young ones cry unto God, and wander about for lack of food?