1 MOREOVER the LORD answered Job, and said,

2 Many are the counsels of God; he who reproves God must answer for it.

3 Then Job answered the LORD, and said,

4 Behold, I am unworthy; what shall I answer thee? I will lay my hand upon my mouth.

5 Once I have spoken; but I will not answer; yea, twice, but I will proceed no further.

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

7 Gird up your loins now like a man; I will question you, and you shall declare to me.

8 Will you disannul my judgment? Will you even condemn me, that you may be justified?

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

10 Deck yourself now with majesty and excellency; and array yourself with glory and beauty.

11 Cast away the rage of your wrath; and look upon everyone that is proud, and abase him;

12 And cast the sinners into their place.

13 Bury them in the earth together; cover their faces with fine dust.

14 Then will I also give you credit when your own right hand has saved you.

15 Behold now the hippopotamus which I made for you; he eats grass like an ox.

16 Lo, his strength is in his loins, and his tail stands erect like a cedar tree.

17 The sinews of his thighs bulge out.

18 His bones are strong as pieces of brass; yea, they are like bars of iron.

19 He is the chief among God's creations; for he made him powerful to fight.

20 He roams about the mountains, and all the wild beasts of the field lie down under his protection.

21 He lurks in the covert of reeds, he couches as a lion.

22 The shady trees cover him with their shadow; the willows of the brook encircle him.

23 Behold, if he plunges into the river, he is not afraid; he is confident, though the Jordan reaches to his mouth.

24 Can one take him with a hook, or catch him with a net? Can one snare him in a trap, or can one bind his tongue with a rope?