Category: Job

What Can I Expect from God?

1-4 “I made a solemn pact with myself

never to undress a girl with my eyes.

So what can I expect from God?

What do I deserve from God Almighty above?

Isn’t calamity reserved for the wicked?

Isn’t disaster supposed to strike those who do wrong?

Isn’t God looking, observing how I live?

Doesn’t he mark every step I take?

5-8 “Have I walked hand in hand with falsehood,

or hung out in the company of deceit?

Weigh me on a set of honest scales

so God has proof of my integrity.

If I’ve strayed off the straight and narrow,

wanted things I had no right to,

messed around with sin,

Go ahead, then—

give my portion to someone who deserves it.

9-12 “If I’ve let myself be seduced by a woman

and conspired to go to bed with her,

Fine, my wife has every right to go ahead

and sleep with anyone she wants to.

For disgusting behavior like that,

I’d deserve the worst punishment you could hand out.

Adultery is a fire that burns the house down;

I wouldn’t expect anything I count dear to survive it.

13-15 “Have I ever been unfair to my employees

when they brought a complaint to me?

What, then, will I do when God confronts me?

When God examines my books, what can I say?

Didn’t the same God who made me, make them?

Aren’t we all made of the same stuff, equals before God?

16-18 “Have I ignored the needs of the poor,

turned my back on the indigent,

Taken care of my own needs and fed my own face

while they languished?

Wasn’t my home always open to them?

Weren’t they always welcome at my table?

19-20 “Have I ever left a poor family shivering in the cold

when they had no warm clothes?

Didn’t the poor bless me when they saw me coming,

knowing I’d brought coats from my closet?

21-23 “If I’ve ever used my strength and influence

to take advantage of the unfortunate,

Go ahead, break both my arms,

cut off all my fingers!

The fear of God has kept me from these things—

how else could I ever face him?

If Only Someone Would Give Me a Hearing!

24-28 “Did I set my heart on making big money

or worship at the bank?

Did I boast about my wealth,

show off because I was well-off?

Was I ever so awed by the sun’s brilliance

and moved by the moon’s beauty

That I let myself become seduced by them

and worshiped them on the sly?

If so, I would deserve the worst of punishments,

for I would be betraying God himself.

29-30 “Did I ever crow over my enemy’s ruin?

Or gloat over my rival’s bad luck?

No, I never said a word of detraction,

never cursed them, even under my breath.

31-34 “Didn’t those who worked for me say,

‘He fed us well. There were always second helpings’?

And no stranger ever had to spend a night in the street;

my doors were always open to travelers.

Did I hide my sin the way Adam did,

or conceal my guilt behind closed doors

Because I was afraid what people would say,

fearing the gossip of the neighbors so much

That I turned myself into a recluse?

You know good and well that I didn’t.

35-37 “Oh, if only someone would give me a hearing!

I’ve signed my name to my defense—let the Almighty One answer!

I want to see my indictment in writing.

Anyone’s welcome to read my defense;

I’ll write it on a poster and carry it around town.

I’m prepared to account for every move I’ve ever made—

to anyone and everyone, prince or pauper.

38-40 “If the very ground that I farm accuses me,

if even the furrows fill with tears from my abuse,

If I’ve ever raped the earth for my own profit

or dispossessed its rightful owners,

Then curse it with thistles instead of wheat,

curse it with weeds instead of barley.”

The words of Job to his three friends were finished.

—https://api-cdn.youversionapi.com/audio-bible-youversionapi/85/32k/JOB/31-4fbe69c026747fcde313bae8bd2433b0.mp3?version_id=97—

God’s Spirit Makes Wisdom Possible

1-5 Job’s three friends now fell silent. They were talked out, stymied because Job wouldn’t budge an inch—wouldn’t admit to an ounce of guilt. Then Elihu lost his temper. (Elihu was the son of Barakel the Buzite from the clan of Ram.) He blazed out in anger against Job for pitting his righteousness against God’s. He was also angry with the three friends because they had neither come up with an answer nor proved Job wrong. Elihu had waited with Job while they spoke because they were all older than he. But when he saw that the three other men had exhausted their arguments, he exploded with pent-up anger.

6-10 This is what Elihu, son of Barakel the Buzite, said:

“I’m a young man,

and you are all old and experienced.

That’s why I kept quiet

and held back from joining the discussion.

I kept thinking, ‘Experience will tell.

The longer you live, the wiser you become.’

But I see I was wrong—it’s God’s Spirit in a person,

the breath of the Almighty One, that makes wise human insight possible.

The experts have no corner on wisdom;

getting old doesn’t guarantee good sense.

So I’ve decided to speak up. Listen well!

I’m going to tell you exactly what I think.

11-14 “I hung on your words while you spoke,

listened carefully to your arguments.

While you searched for the right words,

I was all ears.

And now what have you proved? Nothing.

Nothing you say has even touched Job.

And don’t excuse yourselves by saying, ‘We’ve done our best.

Now it’s up to God to talk sense into him.’

Job has yet to contend with me.

And rest assured, I won’t be usingyourarguments!

15-22 “Do you three have nothing else to say?

Ofcourseyou don’t! You’re total frauds!

Why should I wait any longer,

now that you’re stopped dead in your tracks?

I’m ready to speak my piece. That’s right!

It’s my turn—and it’s about time!

I’ve got a lot to say,

and I’m bursting to say it.

The pressure has built up, like lava beneath the earth.

I’m a volcano ready to blow.

Ihaveto speak—I have no choice.

I have to say what’s on my heart,

And I’m going to say it straight—

the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth.

I was never any good at bootlicking;

my Maker would make short work of me if I started in now!”

—https://api-cdn.youversionapi.com/audio-bible-youversionapi/85/32k/JOB/32-93a7e5cc97a82a32c3f792ddb193a611.mp3?version_id=97—

1-4 “So please, Job, hear me out,

honor me by listening to me.

What I’m about to say

has been carefully thought out.

I have no ulterior motives in this;

I’m speaking honestly from my heart.

The Spirit of God made me what I am,

the breath of God Almighty gave me life!

God Always Answers, One Way or Another

5-7 “And if you think you can prove me wrong, do it.

Lay out your arguments. Stand up for yourself!

Look, I’m human—no better than you;

we’re both made of the same kind of mud.

So let’s work this through together;

don’t let my aggressiveness overwhelm you.

8-11 “Here’s what you said.

I heard you say it with my own ears.

You said, ‘I’m pure—I’ve done nothing wrong.

Believe me, I’m clean—my conscience is clear.

But God keeps picking on me;

he treats me like I’m his enemy.

He’s thrown me in jail;

he keeps me under constant surveillance.’

12-14 “But let me tell you, Job, you’re wrong, dead wrong!

God is far greater than any human.

So how dare you haul him into court,

and then complain that he won’t answer your charges?

God always answers, one way or another,

even when people don’t recognize his presence.

15-18 “In a dream, for instance, a vision at night,

when men and women are deep in sleep,

fast asleep in their beds—

God opens their ears

and impresses them with warnings

To turn them back from something bad they’re planning,

from some reckless choice,

And keep them from an early grave,

from the river of no return.

19-22 “Or, God might get their attention through pain,

by throwing them on a bed of suffering,

So they can’t stand the sight of food,

have no appetite for their favorite treats.

They lose weight, wasting away to nothing,

reduced to a bag of bones.

They hang on the cliff-edge of death,

knowing the next breath may be their last.

23-25 “But even then an angel could come,

a champion—there are thousands of them!—

to take up your cause,

A messenger who would mercifully intervene,

canceling the death sentence with the words:

‘I’ve come up with the ransom!’

Before you know it, you’re healed,

the very picture of health!

26-28 “Or, you may fall on your knees and pray—to God’s delight!

You’ll see God’s smile and celebrate,

finding yourself set right with God.

You’ll sing God’s praises to everyone you meet,

testifying, ‘I messed up my life—

and let me tell you, it wasn’t worth it.

But God stepped in and saved me from certain death.

I’m alive again! Once more I see the light!’

29-30 “This is the way God works.

Over and over again

He pulls our souls back from certain destruction

so we’ll see the light—andlivein the light!

31-33 “Keep listening, Job.

Don’t interrupt—I’m not finished yet.

But if you think of anything I should know, tell me.

There’s nothing I’d like better than to see your name cleared.

Meanwhile, keep listening. Don’t distract me with interruptions.

I’m going to teach you the basics of wisdom.”

—https://api-cdn.youversionapi.com/audio-bible-youversionapi/85/32k/JOB/33-90d1cc323435efb9f613958da690df5d.mp3?version_id=97—

It’s Impossible for God to Do Evil

1-4 Elihu continued:

“So, my fine friends—listen to me,

and see what you think of this.

Isn’t it just common sense—

as common as the sense of taste—

To put our heads together

and figure out what’s going on here?

5-9 “We’ve all heard Job say, ‘I’m in the right,

but God won’t give me a fair trial.

When I defend myself, I’m called a liar to my face.

I’ve done nothing wrong, and I get punished anyway.’

Have you ever heard anything to beat this?

Does nothing faze this man Job?

Do you think he’s spent too much time in bad company,

hanging out with the wrong crowd,

So that now he’s parroting their line:

‘It doesn’t pay to try to please God’?

10-15 “You’re veterans in dealing with these matters;

certainly we’re of one mind on this.

It’s impossible for God to do anything evil;

no way can the Mighty One do wrong.

He makes us pay for exactly what we’ve done—no more, no less.

Our chickens always come home to roost.

It’s impossible for God to do anything wicked,

for the Mighty One to subvert justice.

He’s the one who runs the earth!

He cradles the whole world in his hand!

If he decided to hold his breath,

every man, woman, and child would die for lack of air.

God Is Working Behind the Scenes

16-20 “So, Job, use your head;

this is all pretty obvious.

Can someone who hates order, keep order?

Do you dare condemn the righteous, mighty God?

Doesn’t God always tell it like it is,

exposing corrupt rulers as scoundrels and criminals?

Does he play favorites with the rich and famous and slight the poor?

Isn’t he equally responsible to everybody?

Don’t people who deserve it die without notice?

Don’t wicked rulers tumble to their doom?

When the so-called great ones are wiped out,

we know God is working behind the scenes.

21-28 “He has his eyes on every man and woman.

He doesn’t miss a trick.

There is no night dark enough, no shadow deep enough,

to hide those who do evil.

God doesn’t need to gather any more evidence;

their sin is an open-and-shut case.

He deposes the so-called high and mighty without asking questions,

and replaces them at once with others.

Nobody gets by with anything; overnight,

judgment is signed, sealed, and delivered.

He punishes the wicked for their wickedness

out in the open where everyone can see it,

Because they quit following him,

no longer even thought about him or his ways.

Their apostasy was announced by the cry of the poor;

the cry of the afflicted got God’s attention.

Because You Refuse to Live on God’s Terms

29-30 “If God is silent, what’s that to you?

If he turns his face away, what can you do about it?

But whether silent or hidden, he’s there, ruling,

so that those who hate God won’t take over

and ruin people’s lives.

31-33 “So why don’t you simply confess to God?

Say, ‘I sinned, but I’ll sin no more.

Teach me to see what I still don’t see.

Whatever evil I’ve done, I’ll do it no more.’

Just because you refuse to live on God’s terms,

do you think he should start living on yours?

You choose. I can’t do it for you.

Tell me what you decide.

34-37 “All right-thinking people say—

and the wise who have listened to me concur—

‘Job is an ignoramus.

He talks utter nonsense.’

Job, you need to be pushed to the wall and called to account

for wickedly talking back to God the way you have.

You’ve compounded your original sin

by rebelling against God’s discipline,

Defiantly shaking your fist at God,

piling up indictments against the Almighty One.”

—https://api-cdn.youversionapi.com/audio-bible-youversionapi/85/32k/JOB/34-6fc9de14c204675758995d0a15fe40a1.mp3?version_id=97—

When God Makes Creation a Classroom

1-3 Elihu lit into Job again:

“Does this kind of thing make any sense?

First you say, ‘I’m perfectly innocent before God.’

And then you say, ‘It doesn’t make a bit of difference

whether I’ve sinned or not.’

4-8 “Well, I’m going to show you

that you don’t know what you’re talking about,

neither you nor your friends.

Look up at the sky. Take a long hard look.

See those clouds towering above you?

If you sin, what difference could that make to God?

No matter how much you sin, will it matter to him?

Even if you’re good, what would God get out of that?

Do you think he’s dependent on your accomplishments?

The only ones who care whether you’re good or bad

are your family and friends and neighbors.

God’s not dependent on your behavior.

9-15 “When times get bad, people cry out for help.

They cry for relief from being kicked around,

But never give God a thought when things go well,

when God puts spontaneous songs in their hearts,

When God sets out the entire creation as a science classroom,

using birds and beasts to teach wisdom.

People are arrogantly indifferent to God—

until, of course, they’re in trouble,

and then God is indifferent to them.

There’s nothing behind such prayers except panic;

the Almighty pays them no mind.

So why would he notice you

just because you say you’re tired of waiting to be heard,

Or waiting for him to get good and angry

and do something about the world’s problems?

16 “Job, you talk sheer nonsense—

nonstop nonsense!”

—https://api-cdn.youversionapi.com/audio-bible-youversionapi/85/32k/JOB/35-aa2df4bc77f2bf611858cf4bb0d20fa4.mp3?version_id=97—

Those Who Learn from Their Suffering

1-4 Here Elihu took a deep breath, but kept going:

“Stay with me a little longer. I’ll convince you.

There’s still more to be said on God’s side.

I learned all this firsthand from the Source;

everything I know about justice I owe to my Maker himself.

Trust me, I’m giving you undiluted truth;

believe me, I know these things inside and out.

5-15 “It’s true that God is all-powerful,

but he doesn’t bully innocent people.

For the wicked, though, it’s a different story—

he doesn’t give them the time of day,

but champions the rights of their victims.

He never takes his eyes off the righteous;

he honors them lavishly, promotes them endlessly.

When things go badly,

when affliction and suffering descend,

God tells them where they’ve gone wrong,

shows them how their pride has caused their trouble.

He forces them to heed his warning,

tells them they must repent of their bad life.

If they obey and serve him,

they’ll have a good, long life on easy street.

But if they disobey, they’ll be cut down in their prime

and never know the first thing about life.

Angry people without God pile grievance upon grievance,

always blaming others for their troubles.

Living it up in sexual excesses,

virility wasted, they die young.

But those who learn from their suffering,

God delivers from their suffering.

Obsessed with Putting the Blame on God

16-21 “Oh, Job, don’t you see how God’s wooing you

from the jaws of danger?

How he’s drawing you into wide-open places—

inviting you to feast at a table laden with blessings?

And here you are laden with the guilt of the wicked,

obsessed with putting the blame onGod!

Don’t let your great riches mislead you;

don’t think you can bribe your way out of this.

Did you plan to buy your way out of this?

Not on your life!

And don’t think that night,

when people sleep off their troubles,

will bring you any relief.

Above all, don’t make things worse with more evil—

that’s what’s behind your suffering as it is!

22-25 “Do you have any idea how powerful God is?

Have you ever heard of a teacher like him?

Has anyone ever had to tell him what to do,

or correct him, saying, ‘You did that all wrong!’?

Remember, then, to praise his workmanship,

which is so often celebrated in song.

Everybody sees it;

nobody is too far away to see it.

No One Can Escape from God

26 “Take a long, hard look. See how great he is—infinite,

greater than anything you could ever imagine or figure out!

27-33 “He pulls water up out of the sea,

distills it, and fills up his rain-cloud cisterns.

Then the skies open up

and pour out soaking showers on everyone.

Does anyone have the slightest idea how this happens?

How he arranges the clouds, how he speaks in thunder?

Just look at that lightning, his sky-filling light show

illumining the dark depths of the sea!

These are the symbols of his sovereignty,

his generosity, his loving care.

He hurls arrows of light,

taking sure and accurate aim.

The High God roars in the thunder,

angry against evil.”

—https://api-cdn.youversionapi.com/audio-bible-youversionapi/85/32k/JOB/36-548ca4682b3f8d0db99158b19889393f.mp3?version_id=97—

1-13 “Whenever this happens, my heart stops—

I’m stunned, I can’t catch my breath.

Listen to it! Listen to his thunder,

the rolling, rumbling thunder of his voice.

He lets loose his lightnings from horizon to horizon,

lighting up the earth from pole to pole.

In their wake, the thunder echoes his voice,

powerful and majestic.

He lets out all the stops, he holds nothing back.

No one can mistake that voice—

His word thundering so wondrously,

his mighty acts staggering our understanding.

He orders the snow, ‘Blanket the earth!’

and the rain, ‘Soak the whole countryside!’

No one can escape the weather—it’sthere.

And no one can escape from God.

Wild animals take shelter,

crawling into their dens,

When blizzards roar out of the north

and freezing rain crusts the land.

It’s God’s breath that forms the ice,

it’s God’s breath that turns lakes and rivers solid.

And yes, it’s God who fills clouds with rainwater

and hurls lightning from them every which way.

He puts them through their paces—first this way, then that—

commands them to do what he says all over the world.

Whether for discipline or grace or extravagant love,

he makes sure they make their mark.

A Terrible Beauty Streams from God

14-18 “Job, are you listening? Have you noticed all this?

Stop in your tracks! Take in God’s miracle-wonders!

Do you have any idea how God does it all,

how he makes bright lightning from dark storms,

How he piles up the cumulus clouds—

all these miracle-wonders of a perfect Mind?

Why, you don’t even know how to keep cool

on a sweltering hot day,

So how could you even dream

of making a dent in that hot-tin-roof sky?

19-22 “If you’re so smart, give us a lesson in how to address God.

We’re in the dark and can’t figure it out.

Do you think I’m dumb enough to challenge God?

Wouldn’t that just be asking for trouble?

No one in his right mind stares straight at the sun

on a clear and cloudless day.

As gold comes from the northern mountains,

so a terrible beauty streams from God.

23-24 “Mighty God! Far beyond our reach!

Unsurpassable in power and justice!

It’s unthinkable that he’d treat anyone unfairly.

So bow to him in deep reverence, one and all!

If you’re wise, you’ll most certainly worship him.”

—https://api-cdn.youversionapi.com/audio-bible-youversionapi/85/32k/JOB/37-eb4be1a96a94f736b80dcc7cd6c313e4.mp3?version_id=97—

Have You Gotten to the Bottom of Things?

1-11 And now, finally,Godanswered Job from the eye of a violent storm. He said:

“Why do you confuse the issue?

Why do you talk without knowing what you’re talking about?

Pull yourself together, Job!

Up on your feet! Stand tall!

I have some questions for you,

and I want some straight answers.

Where were you when I created the earth?

Tell me, since you know so much!

Who decided on its size? Certainly you’ll know that!

Who came up with the blueprints and measurements?

How was its foundation poured,

and who set the cornerstone,

While the morning stars sang in chorus

and all the angels shouted praise?

And who took charge of the ocean

when it gushed forth like a baby from the womb?

That was me! I wrapped it in soft clouds,

and tucked it in safely at night.

Then I made a playpen for it,

a strong playpen so it couldn’t run loose,

And said, ‘Stay here, this is your place.

Your wild tantrums are confined to this place.’

12-15 “And have you ever ordered Morning, ‘Get up!’

told Dawn, ‘Get to work!’

So you could seize Earth like a blanket

and shake out the wicked like cockroaches?

As the sun brings everything to light,

brings out all the colors and shapes,

The cover of darkness is snatched from the wicked—

they’re caught in the very act!

16-18 “Have you ever gotten to the true bottom of things,

explored the labyrinthine caves of deep ocean?

Do you know the first thing about death?

Do you have one clue regarding death’s dark mysteries?

And do you have any idea how large this earth is?

Speak up if you have even the beginning of an answer.

19-21 “Do you know where Light comes from

and where Darkness lives

So you can take them by the hand

and lead them home when they get lost?

Why, ofcourseyou know that.

You’ve known them all your life,

grown up in the same neighborhood with them!

22-30 “Have you ever traveled to where snow is made,

seen the vault where hail is stockpiled,

The arsenals of hail and snow that I keep in readiness

for times of trouble and battle and war?

Can you find your way to where lightning is launched,

or to the place from which the wind blows?

Who do you suppose carves canyons

for the downpours of rain, and charts

the route of thunderstorms

That bring water to unvisited fields,

deserts no one ever lays eyes on,

Drenching the useless wastelands

so they’re carpeted with wildflowers and grass?

And who do you think is the father of rain and dew,

the mother of ice and frost?

You don’t for a minute imagine

these marvels of weather just happen, do you?

31-33 “Can you catch the eye of the beautiful Pleiades sisters,

or distract Orion from his hunt?

Can you get Venus to look your way,

or get the Great Bear and her cubs to come out and play?

Do you know the first thing about the sky’s constellations

and how they affect things on Earth?

34-35 “Can you get the attention of the clouds,

and commission a shower of rain?

Can you take charge of the lightning bolts

and have them report to you for orders?

What Do You Have to Say for Yourself?

36-38 “Who do you think gave weather-wisdom to the ibis,

and storm-savvy to the rooster?

Does anyone know enough to number all the clouds

or tip over the rain barrels of heaven

When the earth is cracked and dry,

the ground baked hard as a brick?

39-41 “Can you teach the lioness to stalk her prey

and satisfy the appetite of her cubs

As they crouch in their den,

waiting hungrily in their cave?

And who sets out food for the ravens

when their young cry to God,

fluttering about because they have no food?”

—https://api-cdn.youversionapi.com/audio-bible-youversionapi/85/32k/JOB/38-3349f8169b8e5d3b29ea63d3aca92e5b.mp3?version_id=97—

1-4 “Do you know the month when mountain goats give birth?

Have you ever watched a doe bear her fawn?

Do you know how many months she is pregnant?

Do you know the season of her delivery,

when she crouches down and drops her offspring?

Her young ones flourish and are soon on their own;

they leave and don’t come back.

5-8 “Who do you think set the wild donkey free,

opened the corral gates and let him go?

I gave him the whole wilderness to roam in,

the rolling plains and wide-open places.

He laughs at his city cousins, who are harnessed and harried.

He’s oblivious to the cries of teamsters.

He grazes freely through the hills,

nibbling anything that’s green.

9-12 “Will the wild buffalo condescend to serve you,

volunteer to spend the night in your barn?

Can you imagine hitching your plow to a buffalo

and getting him to till your fields?

He’s hugely strong, yes, but could you trust him,

would you dare turn the job over to him?

You wouldn’t for a minute depend on him, would you,

to do what you said when you said it?

13-18 “The ostrich flaps her wings futilely—

all those beautiful feathers, but useless!

She lays her eggs on the hard ground,

leaves them there in the dirt, exposed to the weather,

Not caring that they might get stepped on and cracked

or trampled by some wild animal.

She’s negligent with her young, as if they weren’t even hers.

She cares nothing about anything.

She wasn’t created very smart, that’s for sure,

wasn’t given her share of good sense.

But when she runs, oh, how she runs,

laughing, leaving horse and rider in the dust.

19-25 “Are you the one who gave the horse his prowess

and adorned him with a shimmering mane?

Did you create him to prance proudly

and strike terror with his royal snorts?

He paws the ground fiercely, eager and spirited,

then charges into the fray.

He laughs at danger, fearless,

doesn’t shy away from the sword.

The banging and clanging

of quiver and lance don’t faze him.

He quivers with excitement, and at the trumpet blast

races off at a gallop.

At the sound of the trumpet he neighs mightily,

smelling the excitement of battle from a long way off,

catching the rolling thunder of the war cries.

26-30 “Was it through your know-how that the hawk learned to fly,

soaring effortlessly on thermal updrafts?

Did you command the eagle’s flight,

and teach her to build her nest in the heights,

Perfectly at home on the high cliff face,

invulnerable on pinnacle and crag?

From her perch she searches for prey,

spies it at a great distance.

Her young gorge themselves on carrion;

wherever there’s a roadkill, you’ll see her circling.”

—https://api-cdn.youversionapi.com/audio-bible-youversionapi/85/32k/JOB/39-413b7ec20f4d60b395fc18d815eb94d7.mp3?version_id=97—

1-2 Godthen confronted Job directly:

“Now what do you have to say for yourself?

Are you going to haul me, the Mighty One, into court and press charges?”

I’m Ready to Shut Up and Listen

3-5 Job answered:

“I’m speechless, in awe—words fail me.

I should never have opened my mouth!

I’ve talked too much, way too much.

I’m ready to shut up and listen.”

I Want Straight Answers

6-7 Godaddressed Job next from the eye of the storm, and this is what he said:

“I have some more questions for you,

and I want straight answers.

8-14 “Do you presume to tell me what I’m doing wrong?

Are you calling me a sinner so you can be a saint?

Do you have an arm like my arm?

Can you shout in thunder the way I can?

Go ahead, show your stuff.

Let’s see what you’re made of, what you can do.

Unleash your outrage.

Target the arrogant and lay them flat.

Target the arrogant and bring them to their knees.

Stop the wicked in their tracks—make mincemeat of them!

Dig a mass grave and dump them in it—

faceless corpses in an unmarked grave.

I’ll gladly step aside and hand things over to you—

you can surely save yourself with no help from me!

15-24 “Look at the land beast, Behemoth. I created him as well as you.

Grazing on grass, docile as a cow—

Just look at the strength of his back,

the powerful muscles of his belly.

His tail sways like a cedar in the wind;

his huge legs are like beech trees.

His skeleton is made of steel,

every bone in his body hard as steel.

Most magnificent of all my creatures,

but I still lead him around like a lamb!

The grass-covered hills serve him meals,

while field mice frolic in his shadow.

He takes afternoon naps under shade trees,

cools himself in the reedy swamps,

Lazily cool in the leafy shadows

as the breeze moves through the willows.

And when the river rages he doesn’t budge,

stolid and unperturbed even when the Jordan goes wild.

But you’d never want him for a pet—

you’d never be able to housebreak him!”

—https://api-cdn.youversionapi.com/audio-bible-youversionapi/85/32k/JOB/40-b4f82f076df9259544c81def9a4d69a8.mp3?version_id=97—