Job 39:13-30

New International Reader's Version

¹³ “The wings of ostriches flap with joy.
    But they can’t compare with the wings and feathers of storks.
¹⁴ Ostriches lay their eggs on the ground.
    They let them get warm in the sand.
¹⁵ They do not know that something might step on them.
    A wild animal might walk all over them.
¹⁶ Ostriches are mean to their little ones.
    They treat them as if they did not belong to them.
    They do not care that their work was useless.
¹⁷ I did not provide ostriches with wisdom.
    I did not give them good sense.
¹⁸ But when they spread their feathers to run,
    they laugh at a horse and its rider.

¹⁹ “Job, do you give horses their strength?
    Do you put flowing manes on their necks?
²⁰ Do you make them jump like locusts?
    They terrify others with their proud snorting.
²¹ They paw the ground wildly.
    They are filled with joy.
    They charge at their enemies.
²² They laugh at fear. They are not afraid of anything.
    They do not run away from swords.
²³ Many arrows rattle at their sides.
    Flashing spears and javelins are also there.
²⁴ They are so excited that they race over the ground.
    They can’t stand still when trumpets are blown.
²⁵ When they hear the trumpets they snort, ‘Aha!’
    They catch the smells of battle far away.
    They hear the shouts of commanders and the battle cries.

²⁶ “Job, are you wise enough to teach hawks where to fly?
    They spread their wings and fly toward the south.
²⁷ Do you command eagles to fly so high?
    They build their nests as high as they can.
²⁸ They live on cliffs and stay there at night.
    High up on the rocks they think they are safe.
²⁹ From there they look for their food.
    They can see it from far away.
³⁰ Their little ones like to eat blood.
    Eagles gather where they see dead bodies.”