The Book of Job

Then the LORD answered Job out of the whirlwind, and said:

"Now prepare yourself like a man; I will question you, and you shall answer Me:

"Would you indeed annul My judgment? Would you condemn Me that you may be justified?

Have you an arm like God? Or can you thunder with a voice like His?

Then adorn yourself with majesty and splendor, and array yourself with glory and beauty.

Disperse the rage of your wrath; look on everyone who is proud, and humble him.

Look on everyone who is proud, and bring him low; tread down the wicked in their place.

Hide them in the dust together, bind their faces in hidden darkness.

Then I will also confess to you that your own right hand can save you.

"Look now at the behemoth, which I made along with you; he eats grass like an ox.

See now, his strength is in his hips, and his power is in his stomach muscles.

He moves his tail like a cedar; the sinews of his thighs are tightly knit.

His bones are like beams of bronze, his ribs like bars of iron.

He is the first of the ways of God; only He who made him can bring near His sword.

Surely the mountains yield food for him, and all the beasts of the field play there.

He lies under the lotus trees, in a covert of reeds and marsh.

The lotus trees cover him with their shade; the willows by the brook surround him.

Indeed the river may rage, Yet he is not disturbed; he is confident, though the Jordan gushes into his mouth,

Though he takes it in his eyes, or one pierces his nose with a snare.

"Can you draw out Leviathan with a hook, or snare his tongue with a line which you lower?

Can you put a reed through his nose, or pierce his jaw with a hook?

Will he make many supplications to you? Will he speak softly to you?

Will he make a covenant with you? Will you take him as a servant forever?

Will you play with him as with a bird, or will you leash him for your maidens?

Will your companions make a banquet of him? Will they apportion him among the merchants?

Can you fill his skin with harpoons, or his head with fishing spears?

Lay your hand on him; remember the battle-- never do it again!

Indeed, any hope of overcoming him is vain; shall one not be overwhelmed at the sight of him?