Yahweh’s Challenge Continues

40 Then[fn] Yahweh answered Job and said,

• 2 Anyone who argues with God must answer it.”
3 
• 4  What shall I answer you?
• I lay my hand on my mouth.
• 5  even[fn] twice, but[fn] I will not proceed.”
• 6 [fn] Yahweh answered Job from the storm, and he said,
• 7 [fn] and I will question you, and you shall declare to me.
• 8  Would you condemn me, so that you might be righteous?
• 9  and can you thunder with a voice like his?
• 10 [fn] yourself with pride and dignity, and clothe yourself with splendor.
• 11  and look at all the proud, and humble them.
• 12 the proud, humble them, and tread down the wicked[fn]
• 13  bind their faces in the grave.
• 14  that your own right hand can save you.
• 15 [fn] which I have made just as I made you; it eats grass like the ox.
• 16 is in its loins and its power in the muscles of its stomach.
• 17  the sinews of its thighs are tightly wound.
• 18 are tubes of copper, its limbs like rods of iron.
• 19 is the first of God’s actions; the one who made him furnishes it with his sword.[fn]
• 20 the mountains yield produce for it, and all[fn] play there.
• 21 the lotus tree it lies, in the hiding place of the reeds and in the marsh.
• 22 The lotus trees cover it with their shade; the wadi’s[fn] poplar trees surround it.
• 23 if the river is turbulent, it is not frightened; it is confident even though the Jordan rushes against its mouth.
• 24  Can he pierce its nose with a snare?
• Or[fn] [fn]
• 2  Or[fn] can you pierce its jawbone with a hook?
• 3  Or will it speak gentle words to you?
• 4  Will you take it as a slave forever?
• 5 with birds and put it on a leash for your girls?
• 6  Will they divide it between tradesmen?
• 7  or[fn] its head with fish spears?
• 8  think about the battle—you will not do it again!