Job 38 | English Standard Version

English Standard Version

The Lord Answers Job

1 Then the Lord answered Job out of the whirlwind and said: (Job 13:22; Job 40:6) 2 “Who is this that darkens counsel by words without knowledge? (Job 35:16; Job 42:3) 3 Dress for action^[1] like a man; I will question you, and you make it known to me. (1Ki 18:46) 4 “Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth? Tell me, if you have understanding. (Ps 104:5; Pr 8:24; Pr 30:4; Isa 40:12)

Ps 104:5Pr 8:24Pr 30:4Isa 40:12

5 Who determined its measurements—surely you know! Or who stretched the line upon it? 6 On what were its bases sunk, or who laid its cornerstone, 7 when the morning stars sang together and all the sons of God shouted for joy? (Job 1:6; Ps 19:1; Lu 2:13) 8 “Or who shut in the sea with doors when it burst out from the womb, (Ge 1:9; Ps 33:7; Ps 104:8; Jer 5:22)

Ge 1:9Ps 33:7Ps 104:8Jer 5:22

9 when I made clouds its garment and thick darkness its swaddling band, (Job 22:13) 10 and prescribed limits for it and set bars and doors, (Job 38:33) 11 and said, ‘Thus far shall you come, and no farther, and here shall your proud waves be stayed’? (Ps 65:7; Ps 89:9; Ps 93:4) 12 “Have you commanded the morning since your days began, and caused the dawn to know its place, (Ps 65:8; Ps 74:16) 13 that it might take hold of the skirts of the earth, and the wicked be shaken out of it? (Ne 5:13; Job 37:3) 14 It is changed like clay under the seal, and its features stand out like a garment. 15 From the wicked their light is withheld, and their uplifted arm is broken. (Job 18:5; Job 24:13; Ps 10:15; Ps 37:17; Eze 30:21; Mt 6:23)

Job 18:5Job 24:13Ps 10:15Ps 37:17Eze 30:21Mt 6:23

16 “Have you entered into the springs of the sea, or walked in the recesses of the deep? (Ps 77:19) 17 Have the gates of death been revealed to you, or have you seen the gates of deep darkness? (Job 3:5; Ps 9:13; Ps 107:18; Isa 38:10; Mt 16:18)

Job 3:5Ps 9:13Ps 107:18Isa 38:10Mt 16:18

18 Have you comprehended the expanse of the earth? Declare, if you know all this. 19 “Where is the way to the dwelling of light, and where is the place of darkness, 20 that you may take it to its territory and that you may discern the paths to its home? (Job 24:13) 21 You know, for you were born then, and the number of your days is great! (Job 15:7) 22 “Have you entered the storehouses of the snow, or have you seen the storehouses of the hail, (Ps 135:7) 23 which I have reserved for the time of trouble, for the day of battle and war? (Jos 10:11; Job 37:13; Isa 28:17; Isa 30:30; Eze 13:11; Eze 13:13; Eze 38:22; Re 16:21)

Jos 10:11Job 37:13Isa 28:17Isa 30:30Eze 13:11Eze 13:13Eze 38:22Re 16:21

24 What is the way to the place where the light is distributed, or where the east wind is scattered upon the earth? 25 “Who has cleft a channel for the torrents of rain and a way for the thunderbolt, (Job 28:26) 26 to bring rain on a land where no man is, on the desert in which there is no man, (Job 37:13; Ps 107:35) 27 to satisfy the waste and desolate land, and to make the ground sprout with grass? (Ge 1:11; 2Sa 23:4) 28 “Has the rain a father, or who has begotten the drops of dew? (Ps 147:8; Jer 14:22) 29 From whose womb did the ice come forth, and who has given birth to the frost of heaven? (Ps 147:16) 30 The waters become hard like stone, and the face of the deep is frozen. (Job 37:10) 31 “Can you bind the chains of the Pleiades or loose the cords of Orion? (Job 9:9; Am 5:8) 32 Can you lead forth the Mazzaroth^[2] in their season, or can you guide the Bear with its children? (Job 38:31) 33 Do you know the ordinances of the heavens? Can you establish their rule on the earth? (Jer 31:35) 34 “Can you lift up your voice to the clouds, that a flood of waters may cover you? (Job 22:11) 35 Can you send forth lightnings, that they may go and say to you, ‘Here we are’? 36 Who has put wisdom in the inward parts^[3] or given understanding to the mind?^[4] (Job 32:8; Ps 51:6) 37 Who can number the clouds by wisdom? Or who can tilt the waterskins of the heavens, 38 when the dust runs into a mass and the clods stick fast together? (Job 21:33) 39 “Can you hunt the prey for the lion, or satisfy the appetite of the young lions, (Ps 104:21) 40 when they crouch in their dens or lie in wait in their thicket? (Job 37:8; Ps 17:12) 41 Who provides for the raven its prey, when its young ones cry to God for help, and wander about for lack of food? (Ps 147:9; Mt 6:26; Lu 12:24)

New International Version

from Biblica

The Lord speaks

1 Then the Lord spoke to Job out of the storm. He said: 2 ‘Who is this that obscures my plans with words without knowledge? 3 Brace yourself like a man; I will question you, and you shall answer me. 4 ‘Where were you when I laid the earth’s foundation? Tell me, if you understand. 5 Who marked off its dimensions? Surely you know! Who stretched a measuring line across it? 6 On what were its footings set, or who laid its cornerstone – 7 while the morning stars sang together and all the angels^[1] shouted for joy? 8 ‘Who shut up the sea behind doors when it burst forth from the womb, 9 when I made the clouds its garment and wrapped it in thick darkness, 10 when I fixed limits for it and set its doors and bars in place, 11 when I said, “This far you may come and no farther; here is where your proud waves halt”? 12 ‘Have you ever given orders to the morning, or shown the dawn its place, 13 that it might take the earth by the edges and shake the wicked out of it? 14 The earth takes shape like clay under a seal; its features stand out like those of a garment. 15 The wicked are denied their light, and their upraised arm is broken. 16 ‘Have you journeyed to the springs of the sea or walked in the recesses of the deep? 17 Have the gates of death been shown to you? Have you seen the gates of the deepest darkness? 18 Have you comprehended the vast expanses of the earth? Tell me, if you know all this. 19 ‘What is the way to the abode of light? And where does darkness reside? 20 Can you take them to their places? Do you know the paths to their dwellings? 21 Surely you know, for you were already born! You have lived so many years! 22 ‘Have you entered the storehouses of the snow or seen the storehouses of the hail, 23 which I reserve for times of trouble, for days of war and battle? 24 What is the way to the place where the lightning is dispersed, or the place where the east winds are scattered over the earth? 25 Who cuts a channel for the torrents of rain, and a path for the thunderstorm, 26 to water a land where no-one lives, an uninhabited desert, 27 to satisfy a desolate wasteland and make it sprout with grass? 28 Does the rain have a father? Who fathers the drops of dew? 29 From whose womb comes the ice? Who gives birth to the frost from the heavens 30 when the waters become hard as stone, when the surface of the deep is frozen? 31 ‘Can you bind the chains^[2] of the Pleiades? Can you loosen Orion’s belt? 32 Can you bring forth the constellations in their seasons^[3] or lead out the Bear^[4] with its cubs? 33 Do you know the laws of the heavens? Can you set up God’s^[5] dominion over the earth? 34 ‘Can you raise your voice to the clouds and cover yourself with a flood of water? 35 Do you send the lightning bolts on their way? Do they report to you, “Here we are”? 36 Who gives the ibis wisdom^[6] or gives the cockerel understanding?^[7] 37 Who has the wisdom to count the clouds? Who can tip over the water jars of the heavens 38 when the dust becomes hard and the clods of earth stick together? 39 ‘Do you hunt the prey for the lioness and satisfy the hunger of the lions 40 when they crouch in their dens or lie in wait in a thicket? 41 Who provides food for the raven when its young cry out to God and wander about for lack of food?

New International Reader’s Version

from Biblica

The Lord speaks

1 The LORD spoke to Job out of a storm. He said, 2 ‘Who do you think you are to disagree with my plans? You do not know what you are talking about. 3 Get ready to stand up for yourself. I will ask you some questions. Then I want you to answer me. 4 ‘Where were you when I laid the earth’s foundation? Tell me, if you know. 5 Who measured it? I am sure you know! Who stretched a measuring line across it? 6 What was it built on? Who laid its most important stone? 7 When it happened, the morning stars sang together. All the angels shouted with joy. 8 ‘Who created the ocean? Who caused it to be born? 9 I put clouds over it as if they were its clothes. I wrapped it in thick darkness. 10 I set limits for it. I put its doors and metal bars in place. 11 I said, “You can come this far. But you can’t come any further. Here is where your proud waves have to stop.” 12 ‘Job, have you ever commanded the morning to come? Have you ever shown the sun where to rise? 13 The daylight takes the earth by its edges as if it were a blanket. Then it shakes sinful people out of it. 14 The earth takes shape like clay stamped with an official’s mark. Its features stand out like the different parts of your clothes. 15 Sinners would rather have darkness than light. When the light comes, their power is broken. 16 ‘Have you travelled to the springs at the bottom of the ocean? Have you walked in its deepest parts? 17 Have the gates of death been shown to you? Have you seen the gates of the deepest darkness? 18 Do you understand how big the earth is? Tell me, if you know all these things. 19 ‘Where does light come from? And where does darkness live? 20 Can you take them to their places? Do you know the paths to their houses? 21 I am sure you know! After all, you were already born! You have lived so many years! 22 ‘Have you entered the places where the snow is kept? Have you seen the storerooms for the hail? 23 I store up snow and hail for times of trouble. I keep them for days of war and battle. 24 Where does lightning come from? Where do the east winds live that blow across the earth? 25 Who tells the rain where it should fall? Who makes paths for the thunderstorms? 26 They bring water to places where no one lives. They water deserts that do not have anyone in them. 27 They satisfy the needs of dry and empty lands. They make grass start growing there. 28 Does the rain have a father? Who is the father of the drops of dew? 29 Does the ice have a mother? Who is the mother of the frost from the heavens? 30 The waters become as hard as stone. The surface of the ocean freezes over. 31 ‘Can you tie up the cords of the Pleiades? Can you untie the belt that Orion wears? 32 Can you bring out all the stars in their seasons? Can you lead out the Big Dipper and the Little Dipper? 33 Do you know the laws that govern the heavens? Can you rule over the earth the way I do? 34 ‘Can you give orders to the clouds? Can you make them pour rain down on you? 35 Do you send the lightning bolts on their way? Do they report to you, “Here we are”? 36 Who gives the ibis wisdom? Who gives the cockerel understanding? 37 Who is wise enough to count the clouds? Who can tip over the water jars of the heavens? 38 I tip them over when the ground becomes hard. I do it when the soil sticks together. 39 ‘Do you hunt for food for mother lions? Do you satisfy the hunger of their cubs? 40 Some of them lie low in their dens. Others lie waiting in the bushes. 41 Who provides food for ravens when their babies cry out to me? They wander around because they do not have anything to eat.

King James Version

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

Einheitsübersetzung 2016

from Katholisches Bibelwerk

ERSTE REDE DES HERRN

Frage und Herausforderung

1 Da antwortete der HERR dem Ijob aus dem Wettersturm und sprach: 2 Wer ist es, der den Ratschluss verdunkelt / mit Gerede ohne Einsicht? (Job 42:3; Ps 33:11; Ps 106:13; Ps 107:11; Isa 40:13; Mic 4:12; Jdt 8:12)

Job 42:3Ps 33:11Ps 106:13Ps 107:11Isa 40:13Mic 4:12Jdt 8:12

3 Auf, gürte deine Lenden wie ein Mann: / Ich will dich fragen, du belehre mich!

Schöpfung und ihre Ordnung

4 Wo warst du, als ich die Erde gegründet? / Sag es denn, wenn du Bescheid weißt! (Isa 40:12) 5 Wer setzte ihre Maße? Du weißt es ja. / Wer hat die Messschnur über sie gespannt? (Zec 1:16) 6 Wohin sind ihre Pfeiler eingesenkt? / Oder wer hat ihren Eckstein gelegt, (Ps 118:22) 7 als alle Morgensterne jauchzten, / als jubelten alle Gottessöhne? (Ps 19:2; Ps 148:2; Bar 3:34) 8 Wer verschloss das Meer mit Toren, / als schäumend es dem Mutterschoß entquoll, (Ps 33:7; 2Macc 9:8) 9 als Wolken ich zum Kleid ihm machte, / ihm zur Windel dunklen Dunst, 10 als ich ihm ausbrach meine Grenze, / ihm Tor und Riegel setzte 11 und sprach: Bis hierher darfst du und nicht weiter, / hier muss sich legen deiner Wogen Stolz? (Ps 65:8; Ps 104:6; Ps 104:9; Pr 8:29)

Ps 65:8Ps 104:6Ps 104:9Pr 8:29

12 Hast du je in deinem Leben dem Morgen geboten, / der Morgenröte ihren Ort bestimmt, (Ps 57:9) 13 dass es der Erde Säume fasse / und die Frevler von ihr abgeschüttelt werden? 14 Sie wandelt sich wie Siegelton, / steht da wie ein Gewand. 15 Den Frevlern wird ihr Licht entzogen, / zerschmettert der erhobene Arm. 16 Bist du zu den Quellen des Meeres gekommen, / hast du des Urgrunds Tiefe durchwandert? (Ge 1:2) 17 Haben dir sich die Tore des Todes geöffnet, / hast du die Tore des Todesschattens geschaut? 18 Hast du der Erde Weiten überblickt? / Sag es, wenn du das alles weißt! 19 Wo ist der Weg zur Wohnstatt des Lichts? / Die Finsternis, wo hat sie ihren Ort, 20 dass du sie einführst in ihren Bereich, / die Pfade zu ihrem Haus kennst? 21 Du weißt es ja; du wurdest damals ja geboren / und deiner Tage Zahl ist groß! 22 Bist du zu den Kammern des Schnees gekommen, / hast du die Kammern des Hagels gesehen, (Ps 147:17; Sir 43:14) 23 den ich für Zeiten der Drangsal aufgespart, / für den Tag des Kampfes und der Schlacht? (Ex 9:18) 24 Wo ist der Weg dorthin, wo das Licht sich verteilt, / der Ostwind sich über die Erde zerstreut? 25 Wer grub der Regenflut eine Rinne, / einen Weg für das Donnergewölk, (Isa 30:30) 26 um Regen zu senden auf unbewohntes Land, / auf die Steppe, darin niemand wohnt, 27 um zu sättigen die Wildnis und Öde / und frisches Gras sprossen zu lassen? 28 Hat der Regen einen Vater / oder wer zeugte die Tropfen des Taus? 29 Aus wessen Schoß ging das Eis hervor, / des Himmels Reif, wer hat ihn geboren? 30 Wie unter einem Stein verbergen sich die Wasser / und wird fest die Fläche der Flut. 31 Knüpfst du die Bande des Siebengestirns / oder löst du des Orions Fesseln? (Job 9:9; Am 5:8) 32 Führst du heraus Sterne des Tierkreises zu seiner Zeit, / lenkst du die Löwin samt ihren Jungen? 33 Kennst du die Satzungen des Himmels, / setzt du auf der Erde seine Herrschaft durch? 34 Erhebst du zu den Wolken deine Stimme, / dass dich die Woge des Wassers bedeckt? 35 Entsendest du die Blitze, dass sie eilen / und dir sagen: Wir sind da? (Bar 3:35) 36 Wer verlieh dem Ibis Weisheit / oder wer gab Einsicht dem Hahn? (Mr 13:35; Mr 14:30; Mr 14:72) 37 Wer zählt in Weisheit die Wolken / und die Schläuche des Himmels, wer schüttet sie aus, 38 wenn der Erdboden hart wird, als sei er gegossen, / und Erdschollen zusammenkleben?

Gott als Herr der Tiere

39 Erjagst du Beute für die Löwin, / stillst du den Hunger der jungen Löwen, (Ps 104:21) 40 wenn sie sich in Höhlen ducken, / im Dickicht auf der Lauer liegen? 41 Wer bereitet dem Raben seine Nahrung, / wenn seine Jungen schreien zu Gott und umherirren ohne Futter? (Ps 147:9)