King James Version of the Bible

Book of Job

Chapter 38



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