Job 38:1-21
Job 38:1-21 NCV
Then the LORD answered Job from the storm. He said: “Who is this that makes my purpose unclear by saying things that are not true? Be strong like a man! I will ask you questions, and you must answer me. Where were you when I made the earth’s foundation? Tell me, if you understand. Who marked off how big it should be? Surely you know! Who stretched a ruler across it? What were the earth’s foundations set on, or who put its cornerstone in place while the morning stars sang together and all the angels shouted with joy? “Who shut the doors to keep the sea in when it broke through and was born, when I made the clouds like a coat for the sea and wrapped it in dark clouds, when I put limits on the sea and put its doors and bars in place, when I said to the sea, ‘You may come this far, but no farther; this is where your proud waves must stop’? “Have you ever ordered the morning to begin, or shown the dawn where its place was in order to take hold of the earth by its edges and shake evil people out of it? At dawn the earth changes like clay being pressed by a seal; the hills and valleys stand out like folds in a coat. Light is not given to evil people; their arm is raised to do harm, but it is broken. “Have you ever gone to where the sea begins or walked in the valleys under the sea? Have the gates of death been opened to you? Have you seen the gates of the deep darkness? Do you understand how wide the earth is? Tell me, if you know all these things. “What is the path to light’s home, and where does darkness live? Can you take them to their places? Do you know the way to their homes? Surely you know, if you were already born when all this happened! Have you lived that many years?