The Book of Job

And Jehovah answered Job out of the whirlwind and said,

Gird up now thy loins like a man: I will demand of thee, and inform thou me.

Wilt thou also annul my judgment? wilt thou condemn me that thou mayest be righteous?

Hast thou an arm like God [El]? or canst thou thunder with a voice like him?

Deck thyself now with glory and excellency, and clothe thyself with majesty and splendour.

Cast abroad the ragings of thine anger, and look on every one that is proud, and abase him:

Look on every one that is proud, bring him low, and tread down the wicked in their place:

Then will I also praise thee, because thy right hand saveth thee.

See now the behemoth, which I made with thee: he eateth grass as an ox.

Behold now, his strength is in his loins, and his force is in the muscles of his belly.

He bendeth his tail like a cedar; the sinews of his thighs are woven together.

His bones are tubes of bronze, his members are like bars of iron.

He is the chief of God's [El] ways: he that made him gave him his sword.

For the mountains bring him forth food, where all the beasts of the field play.

He lieth under lotus-bushes, in the covert of the reed and fen:

Lotus-bushes cover him with their shade; the willows of the brook surround him.

Lo, the river overfloweth -- he startleth not: he is confident though a Jordan break forth against his mouth.

Shall he be taken in front? will they pierce through [his] nose in the trap?

Wilt thou draw out the leviathan with the hook, and press down his tongue with a cord?

Wilt thou put a rush-rope into his nose, and pierce his jaw with a spike?

Will he make many supplications unto thee? or will he speak softly unto thee?

Will he make a covenant with thee? wilt thou take him as a bondman for ever?

Wilt thou play with him as with a bird, and wilt thou bind him for thy maidens?

Shall partners make traffic of him, will they divide him among merchants?

Wilt thou fill his skin with darts, and his head with fish-spears?

Lay thy hand upon him; remember the battle, -- do no more!

Lo, hope as to him is belied: is not one cast down even at the sight of him?