Job 38:1–7

Then the Lord answered Job out of the whirlwind and said:

“Who is this that darkens counsel by words without knowledge?

Dress for action like a man;

I will question you, and you make it known to me.

“Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth?

Tell me, if you have understanding.

Who determined its measurements—surely you know!

Or who stretched the line upon it?

On what were its bases sunk,

or who laid its cornerstone,

when the morning stars sang together

and all the sons of God shouted for joy?

Then the Lord spoke to Job out of the storm. He said:

“Who is this that obscures my plans

with words without knowledge?

Brace yourself like a man;

I will question you,

and you shall answer me.

“Where were you when I laid the earth’s foundation?

Tell me, if you understand.

Who marked off its dimensions? Surely you know!

Who stretched a measuring line across it?

On what were its footings set,

or who laid its cornerstone—

while the morning stars sang together

and all the angels shouted for joy?

Then the Lord answered Job from the whirlwind. He said:

Who is this who obscures my counsel

with ignorant words?

Get ready to answer me like a man;

when I question you, you will inform me.

Where were you when I established the earth?

Tell me, if you have understanding.

Who fixed its dimensions? Certainly you know!

Who stretched a measuring line across it?

What supports its foundations?

Or who laid its cornerstone

while the morning stars sang together

and all the sons of God shouted for joy?

Then Yahweh answered Job from the storm, and he said,

“Who is this darkening counsel

by words without knowledge?

Prepare yourself for a difficult task like a man,

and I will question you, and you shall declare to me.

“Where were you at my laying the foundation of the earth?

Tell me, if you possess understanding.

Who determined its measurement? Yes, you do know.

Or who stretched the measuring line upon it?

On what were its bases sunk?

Or who laid its cornerstone,

when the morning stars were singing together

and all the sons of God shouted for joy?

Then the Lord answered Job out of the whirlwind, and said,

Who is this that darkeneth counsel

By words without knowledge?

Gird up now thy loins like a man;

For I will demand of thee, and answer thou me.

Where wast thou when I laid the foundations of the earth?

Declare, if thou hast understanding.

Who hath laid the measures thereof, if thou knowest?

Or who hath stretched the line upon it?

Whereupon are the foundations thereof fastened?

Or who laid the corner stone thereof;

When the morning stars sang together,

And all the sons of God shouted for joy?