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Then the Lord said to Job,
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“Do you still want to argue with the Almighty?
You are God’s critic, but do you have the answers?”
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Then Job replied to the Lord ,
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“I am nothing - how could I ever find the answers?
I will cover my mouth with my hand.
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I have said too much already.
I have nothing more to say.”
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Then the Lord answered Job from the whirlwind:
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“Brace yourself like a man,
because I have some questions for you,
and you must answer them.
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“Will you discredit my justice
and condemn me just to prove you are right?
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Are you as strong as God?
Can you thunder with a voice like his?
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All right, put on your glory and splendor,
your honor and majesty.
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Give vent to your anger.
Let it overflow against the proud.
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Humiliate the proud with a glance;
walk on the wicked where they stand.
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Bury them in the dust.
Imprison them in the world of the dead.
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Then even I would praise you,
for your own strength would save you.
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“Take a look at Behemoth, 1
which I made, just as I made you.
It eats grass like an ox.
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See its powerful loins
and the muscles of its belly.
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Its tail is as strong as a cedar.
The sinews of its thighs are knit tightly together.
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Its bones are tubes of bronze.
Its limbs are bars of iron.
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It is a prime example of God’s handiwork,
and only its Creator can threaten it.
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The mountains offer it their best food,
where all the wild animals play.
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It lies under the lotus plants, 2
hidden by the reeds in the marsh.
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The lotus plants give it shade
among the willows beside the stream.
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It is not disturbed by the raging river,
not concerned when the swelling Jordan rushes around it.
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No one can catch it off guard
or put a ring in its nose and lead it away.