Job 40 – NIV & NIRV

New International Version

Job 40:1-24

1The Lord said to Job:

2“Will the one who contends with the Almighty correct him?

Let him who accuses God answer him!”

3Then Job answered the Lord:

4“I am unworthy—how can I reply to you?

I put my hand over my mouth.

5I spoke once, but I have no answer—

twice, but I will say no more.”

6Then the Lord spoke to Job out of the storm:

7“Brace yourself like a man;

I will question you,

and you shall answer me.

8“Would you discredit my justice?

Would you condemn me to justify yourself?

9Do you have an arm like God’s,

and can your voice thunder like his?

10Then adorn yourself with glory and splendor,

and clothe yourself in honor and majesty.

11Unleash the fury of your wrath,

look at all who are proud and bring them low,

12look at all who are proud and humble them,

crush the wicked where they stand.

13Bury them all in the dust together;

shroud their faces in the grave.

14Then I myself will admit to you

that your own right hand can save you.

15“Look at Behemoth,

which I made along with you

and which feeds on grass like an ox.

16What strength it has in its loins,

what power in the muscles of its belly!

17Its tail sways like a cedar;

the sinews of its thighs are close-knit.

18Its bones are tubes of bronze,

its limbs like rods of iron.

19It ranks first among the works of God,

yet its Maker can approach it with his sword.

20The hills bring it their produce,

and all the wild animals play nearby.

21Under the lotus plants it lies,

hidden among the reeds in the marsh.

22The lotuses conceal it in their shadow;

the poplars by the stream surround it.

23A raging river does not alarm it;

it is secure, though the Jordan should surge against its mouth.

24Can anyone capture it by the eyes,

or trap it and pierce its nose?

New International Reader’s Version

Job 40:1-24

1The Lord continued,

2“I am the Mighty One.

Will the man who argues with me correct me?

Let him who brings charges against me answer me!”

3Job replied to the Lord,

4“I’m not worthy. How can I reply to you?

I’m putting my hand over my mouth. I’ll stop talking.

5I spoke once. But I really don’t have any answer.

I spoke twice. But I won’t say anything else.”

6Then the Lord spoke to Job out of the storm. He said,

7“Get ready to stand up for yourself.

I will ask you some more questions.

Then I want you to answer me.

8“Would you dare to claim that I am not being fair?

Would you judge me in order to make yourself seem right?

9Is your arm as powerful as mine is?

Can your voice thunder as mine does?

10Then put on glory and beauty as if they were your clothes.

Also put on honor and majesty.

11Let loose your great anger.

Look at those who are proud and bring them low.

12Look at proud people and make them humble.

Crush evil people right where they are.

13Bury their bodies together in the dust.

Cover their faces in the grave.

14Then I myself will admit to you

that your own right hand can save you.

15“Look at Behemoth. It is a huge animal.

I made both of you.

It eats grass like an ox.

16Look at the strength it has in its hips!

What power it has in the muscles of its stomach!

17Its tail sways back and forth like a cedar tree.

The tendons of its thighs are close together.

18Its bones are like tubes made out of bronze.

Its legs are like rods made out of iron.

19It ranks first among my works.

I made it. I can approach it with my sword.

20The hills produce food for it.

All the other wild animals play near it.

21It lies under lotus plants.

It hides in tall grass in the swamps.

22The lotus plants hide it in their shade.

Poplar trees near streams surround it.

23It is not afraid when the river roars.

It is secure even when the Jordan River rushes against its mouth.

24Can anyone capture it by its eyes?

Can anyone trap it and poke a hole through its nose?