Job 38
The LORD Convinces Job of Ignorance |
1 |
Then the LORD answered Job out of the whirlwind, and said,
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2 |
Who is this that darkeneth
counsel
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by words without
knowledge? |
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3 |
Gird up now thy loins like a man;
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for I will demand of thee, and answer thou me.
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4 |
Where wast thou when I laid the
foundations of the earth?
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Declare, if thou hast
understanding. |
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5 |
Who hath laid the measures thereof, if
thou knowest?
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Or who hath stretched the line upon
it? |
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6 |
Whereupon are the foundations thereof
fastened?
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Or who laid the corner stone
thereof; |
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7 |
when the morning stars sang together,
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and all the sons of God shouted for joy?
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8 |
Or who shut up the sea with
doors,
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when it brake forth, as if it had issued out
of the
womb? |
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9 |
When I made the cloud the garment
thereof,
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and thick darkness a swaddling band for
it, |
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10 |
and brake up for it my decreed place,
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11 |
and said, Hitherto shalt thou come, but
no further:
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and here shall thy proud waves be stayed? Jer.
5.22
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12 |
Hast thou commanded the morning since thy
days;
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and caused the dayspring to know his
place; |
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13 |
that it might take hold of the ends of
the earth,
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that the wicked might be shaken out of
it? |
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14 |
It is turned as clay to the
seal;
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and they stand as a
garment. |
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15 |
And from the wicked their light is
withholden,
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and the high arm shall be broken.
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16 |
Hast thou entered into the springs of the
sea?
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Or hast thou walked in the search of the
depth? |
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17 |
Have the gates of death been opened unto
thee?
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Or hast thou seen the doors of the shadow of death?
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18 |
Hast thou perceived the breadth of the
earth?
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Declare if thou knowest it all.
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19 |
Where is the way where light dwelleth?
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And as for darkness, where is the
place
thereof, |
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20 |
that thou shouldest take it to the bound
thereof,
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and that thou shouldest know the paths to the
house
thereof? |
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21 |
Knowest thou it, because thou wast
then born?
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or because the number of thy days is great?
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22 |
Hast thou entered into the treasures of
the snow?
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Or hast thou seen the treasures of the
hail, |
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23 |
which I have reserved against the time of
trouble,
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against the day of battle and
war? |
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24 |
By what way is the light parted,
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which scattereth the east wind upon the
earth? |
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25 |
Who hath divided a watercourse for the
overflowing of waters,
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or a way for the lightning of
thunder; |
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26 |
to cause it to rain on the earth, where no man is;
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on the wilderness, wherein there is no
man; |
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27 |
to satisfy the desolate and waste ground;
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and to cause the bud of the tender herb to spring
forth? |
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28 |
Hath the rain a father?
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Or who hath begotten the drops of
dew? |
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29 |
Out of whose womb came the ice?
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And the hoary frost of heaven, who hath gendered
it? |
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30 |
The waters are hid as with a
stone,
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and the face of the deep is frozen.
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31 |
Canst thou bind the sweet influences of
Plei'ades,
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32 |
Canst thou bring forth Maz'zaroth in his
season?
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Or canst thou guide Arctu'rus with his
sons? |
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33 |
Knowest thou the ordinances of
heaven?
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Canst thou set the dominion thereof in the earth?
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34 |
Canst thou lift up thy voice to the
clouds,
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that abundance of waters may cover
thee? |
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35 |
Canst thou send lightnings, that they may
go,
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and say unto thee, Here we are? |
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36 |
Who hath put wisdom in the inward
parts?
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Or who hath given understanding to the
heart? |
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37 |
Who can number the clouds in wisdom?
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Or who can stay the bottles of
heaven, |
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38 |
when the dust groweth into hardness,
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and the clods cleave fast together?
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39 |
Wilt thou hunt the prey for the lion?
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or fill the appetite of the young
lions, |
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40 |
when they couch in their dens,
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and abide in the covert to lie in
wait? |
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41 |
Who provideth for the raven his food?
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When his young ones cry unto God, |
they wander for lack of
meat. |
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