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And now, finally, GOD answered Job from the eye of a violent storm. He said: |
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"Why do you confuse the issue? Why do you talk without knowing what you're talking about? |
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Pull yourself together, Job! Up on your feet! Stand tall! I have some questions for you, and I want some straight answers. |
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Where were you when I created the earth? Tell me, since you know so much! |
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Who decided on its size? Certainly you'll know that! Who came up with the blueprints and measurements? |
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How was its foundation poured, and who set the cornerstone, |
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While the morning stars sang in chorus and all the angels shouted praise? |
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And who took charge of the ocean when it gushed forth like a baby from the womb? |
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That was me! I wrapped it in soft clouds, and tucked it in safely at night. |
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Then I made a playpen for it, a strong playpen so it couldn't run loose, |
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And said, 'Stay here, this is your place. Your wild tantrums are confined to this place.' |
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"And have you ever ordered Morning, 'Get up!' told Dawn, 'Get to work!' |
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So you could seize Earth like a blanket and shake out the wicked like cockroaches? |
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As the sun brings everything to light, brings out all the colors and shapes, |
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The cover of darkness is snatched from the wicked-- they're caught in the very act! |
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"Have you ever gotten to the true bottom of things, explored the labyrinthine caves of deep ocean? |
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Do you know the first thing about death? Do you have one clue regarding death's dark mysteries? |
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And do you have any idea how large this earth is? Speak up if you have even the beginning of an answer. |
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"Do you know where Light comes from and where Darkness lives |
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So you can take them by the hand and lead them home when they get lost? |
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Why, of course you know that. You've known them all your life, grown up in the same neighborhood with them! |
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"Have you ever traveled to where snow is made, seen the vault where hail is stockpiled, |
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The arsenals of hail and snow that I keep in readiness for times of trouble and battle and war? |
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Can you find your way to where lightning is launched, or to the place from which the wind blows? |
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Who do you suppose carves canyons for the downpours of rain, and charts the route of thunderstorms |
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That bring water to unvisited fields, deserts no one ever lays eyes on, |
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Drenching the useless wastelands so they're carpeted with wildflowers and grass? |
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And who do you think is the father of rain and dew, |
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the mother of ice and frost? |
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You don't for a minute imagine these marvels of weather just happen, do you? |
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"Can you catch the eye of the beautiful Pleiades sisters, or distract Orion from his hunt? |
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Can you get Venus to look your way, or get the Great Bear and her cubs to come out and play? |
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Do you know the first thing about the sky's constellations and how they affect things on Earth? |
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"Can you get the attention of the clouds, and commission a shower of rain? |
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Can you take charge of the lightning bolts and have them report to you for orders? |
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"Who do you think gave weather-wisdom to the ibis, and storm-savvy to the rooster? |
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Does anyone know enough to number all the clouds or tip over the rain barrels of heaven |
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When the earth is cracked and dry, the ground baked hard as a brick? |
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"Can you teach the lioness to stalk her prey and satisfy the appetite of her cubs |
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As they crouch in their den, waiting hungrily in their cave? |
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And who sets out food for the ravens when their young cry to God, fluttering about because they have no food? |
Job 38:1 English Language Bible Words basic statistical display
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