Job 40

Easy-to-Read Version

² “You wanted to argue with God All-Powerful.
    You wanted to correct me and prove that I was wrong.
    So give me your answer!”

⁴ “I am not worthy to speak!
    What can I say to you?
I cannot answer you!
    I will put my hand over my mouth.
⁵ I spoke once, but I will not speak again.
    I spoke twice, but I will not say anything more.”

⁷ “Brace yourself^[a]
    and get ready to answer the questions I will ask you.

⁸ “Are you trying to show that I am unfair?
    Are you trying to look innocent by saying that I am guilty?
⁹ Are your arms as strong as mine?
    Do you have a voice like mine that is as loud as thunder?
¹⁰ If so, you can be proud
    and wear glory and honor like clothes.
¹¹ If you are as powerful as God, then show your anger!
    Punish those who are proud and humble them.
¹² Yes, just look at the proud and make them humble.
    Crush those evil people where they stand.
¹³ Bury them all in the dirt.
    Wrap their bodies up and put them in their graves.
¹⁴ If you can do any of these things, then even I will praise you.
    And I will admit that you can save yourself by your own power.

¹⁵ “Look at the behemoth.^[b]
    I made the behemoth, and I made you.
    He eats grass like a cow.
¹⁶ But he has great strength in his body.
    The muscles in his stomach are powerful.
¹⁷ His tail stands strong like a cedar tree.
    His leg muscles are very strong.
¹⁸ His bones are as strong as bronze.
    His legs are like iron bars.
¹⁹ The behemoth is the most amazing animal I made,
    but I can defeat him.
²⁰ He eats the grass that grows on the hills
    where the wild animals play.
²¹ He lies under the lotus plants.
    He hides among the reeds of the swamp.
²² The lotus plants hide him in their shade.
    He lives under the willow trees that grow near the river.
²³ If the river floods, the behemoth will not run away.
    He is not afraid if the Jordan River splashes on his face.
²⁴ No one can blind his eyes and capture him.
    No one can catch him in a trap.