Job 40

EasyEnglish Bible

² ‘Do you still want to argue with me, the Almighty God?
You say that I have not been fair.
Now you must explain what you mean.’

⁴ ‘I am only a foolish man.
    I cannot answer your questions.
I cover my mouth with my hand
    so that I say nothing.
⁵ I have already spoken too many times.
    I will say no more.’

⁷ ‘Prepare yourself for a difficult job!
I will ask you some more questions and you must answer them.

⁸ Do you say that I am not a fair judge?
Do you want to show that I am guilty, not you?
    Then you could say that you are right.
⁹ Do you have the same power to do great things as I have?
Can you speak with a voice as loud as thunder?
    I can!
¹⁰ If you think that you can do all this,
    show how great you are!
    Show everyone your power and your glory!
¹¹ Show everyone your great anger!
Look at all the people who like to boast
    and bring them down low!
¹² Yes, cause all the proud people to be humble.
    Knock down wicked people to the ground.
¹³ Bury them all together in the dust of the ground.
    Cover their faces and put them in their graves.
¹⁴ If you can do these things, Job,
    I will praise you.
I will agree that you have the power to save yourself.

¹⁵ Listen! I created the monsters called Behemoth.^[a]
    I made you and I made them too.
They eat grass, as cows do.
¹⁶ But look at the strength of their legs and their body!
¹⁷ Their tails are like the branches of a cedar tree.
    Their legs are thick and very strong.
¹⁸ Their bones are like sticks made of bronze.
    Their legs are as strong as iron.
¹⁹ These monsters are some of the greatest animals that I have made.
But I who made them can take my sword
    and go near to them.
²⁰ They eat the grass that grows on the hills.
    That is where the wild animals play.
²¹ They lie down under the thorn trees.
    They hide among the reeds at the edge of the water.
²² They rest in the shadow of the thorn trees,
    and among the willow trees beside the water.
²³ Even when the river is deep and dangerous,
    these monsters are not afraid.
The water of the Jordan River may cover their mouths,
    but they still feel safe.
²⁴ There is no way that anyone can catch one of them.
    No one can make its eyes blind.
    No one can put a ring in its nose and lead it away.’