Dual Panel1And now, finally, GOD answered Job from the eye of a violent storm. He said:
2"Why do you confuse the issue? Why do you talk without knowing what you're talking about?
3Pull yourself together, Job! Up on your feet! Stand tall! I have some questions for you, and I want some straight answers.
4Where were you when I created the earth? Tell me, since you know so much!
5Who decided on its size? Certainly you'll know that! Who came up with the blueprints and measurements?
6How was its foundation poured, and who set the cornerstone,
7While the morning stars sang in chorus and all the angels shouted praise?
8And who took charge of the ocean when it gushed forth like a baby from the womb?
9That was me! I wrapped it in soft clouds, and tucked it in safely at night.
10Then I made a playpen for it, a strong playpen so it couldn't run loose,
11And said, 'Stay here, this is your place. Your wild tantrums are confined to this place.'
12"And have you ever ordered Morning, 'Get up!' told Dawn, 'Get to work!'
13So you could seize Earth like a blanket and shake out the wicked like cockroaches?
14As the sun brings everything to light, brings out all the colors and shapes,
15The cover of darkness is snatched from the wicked--they're caught in the very act!
16"Have you ever gotten to the true bottom of things, explored the labyrinthine caves of deep ocean?
17Do you know the first thing about death? Do you have one clue regarding death's dark mysteries?
18And do you have any idea how large this earth is? Speak up if you have even the beginning of an answer.
19"Do you know where Light comes from and where Darkness lives
20So you can take them by the hand and lead them home when they get lost?
21Why, of [course] you know that. You've known them all your life, grown up in the same neighborhood with them!
22"Have you ever traveled to where snow is made, seen the vault where hail is stockpiled,
23The arsenals of hail and snow that I keep in readiness for times of trouble and battle and war?
24Can you find your way to where lightning is launched, or to the place from which the wind blows?
25Who do you suppose carves canyons for the downpours of rain, and charts the route of thunderstorms
26That bring water to unvisited fields, deserts no one ever lays eyes on,
27Drenching the useless wastelands so they're carpeted with wildflowers and grass?
28And who do you think is the father of rain and dew,
29the mother of ice and frost?
30You don't for a minute imagine these marvels of weather just happen, do you?
31"Can you catch the eye of the beautiful Pleiades sisters, or distract Orion from his hunt?
32Can you get Venus to look your way, or get the Great Bear and her cubs to come out and play?
33Do you know the first thing about the sky's constellations and how they affect things on Earth?
34"Can you get the attention of the clouds, and commission a shower of rain?
35Can you take charge of the lightning bolts and have them report to you for orders?
36"Who do you think gave weather-wisdom to the ibis, and storm-savvy to the rooster?
37Does anyone know enough to number all the clouds or tip over the rain barrels of heaven
38When the earth is cracked and dry, the ground baked hard as a brick?
39"Can you teach the lioness to stalk her prey and satisfy the appetite of her cubs
40As they crouch in their den, waiting hungrily in their cave?
41And who sets out food for the ravens when their young cry to God, fluttering about because they have no food?