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 of 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 farther. 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 under a seal. 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 traveled 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 darkness?