Job 38:1  And now, finally, GOD answered Job from the eye of a violent storm. He said:

Job 38:2  "Why do you confuse the issue? Why do you talk without knowing what you're talking about?

Job 38:3  Pull yourself together, Job! Up on your feet! Stand tall! I have some questions for you, and I want some straight answers.

Job 38:4  Where were you when I created the earth? Tell me, since you know so much!

Job 38:5  Who decided on its size? Certainly you'll know that! Who came up with the blueprints and measurements?

Job 38:6  How was its foundation poured, and who set the cornerstone,

Job 38:7  While the morning stars sang in chorus and all the angels shouted praise?

Job 38:8  And who took charge of the ocean when it gushed forth like a baby from the womb?

Job 38:9  That was me! I wrapped it in soft clouds, and tucked it in safely at night.

Job 38:10  Then I made a playpen for it, a strong playpen so it couldn't run loose,

Job 38:11  And said, 'Stay here, this is your place. Your wild tantrums are confined to this place.'

Job 38:12  "And have you ever ordered Morning, 'Get up!' told Dawn, 'Get to work!'

Job 38:13  So you could seize Earth like a blanket and shake out the wicked like cockroaches?

Job 38:14  As the sun brings everything to light, brings out all the colors and shapes,

Job 38:15  The cover of darkness is snatched from the wicked-- they're caught in the very act!

Job 38:16  "Have you ever gotten to the true bottom of things, explored the labyrinthine caves of deep ocean?

Job 38:17  Do you know the first thing about death? Do you have one clue regarding death's dark mysteries?

Job 38:18  And do you have any idea how large this earth is? Speak up if you have even the beginning of an answer.

Job 38:19  "Do you know where Light comes from and where Darkness lives

Job 38:20  So you can take them by the hand and lead them home when they get lost?

Job 38:21  Why, of course you know that. You've known them all your life, grown up in the same neighborhood with them!

Job 38:22  "Have you ever traveled to where snow is made, seen the vault where hail is stockpiled,

Job 38:23  The arsenals of hail and snow that I keep in readiness for times of trouble and battle and war?

Job 38:24  Can you find your way to where lightning is launched, or to the place from which the wind blows?

Job 38:25  Who do you suppose carves canyons for the downpours of rain, and charts the route of thunderstorms

Job 38:26  That bring water to unvisited fields, deserts no one ever lays eyes on,

Job 38:27  Drenching the useless wastelands so they're carpeted with wildflowers and grass?

Job 38:28  And who do you think is the father of rain and dew,

Job 38:29  the mother of ice and frost?

Job 38:30  You don't for a minute imagine these marvels of weather just happen, do you?

Job 38:31  "Can you catch the eye of the beautiful Pleiades sisters, or distract Orion from his hunt?

Job 38:32  Can you get Venus to look your way, or get the Great Bear and her cubs to come out and play?

Job 38:33  Do you know the first thing about the sky's constellations and how they affect things on Earth?

Job 38:34  "Can you get the attention of the clouds, and commission a shower of rain?

Job 38:35  Can you take charge of the lightning bolts and have them report to you for orders?

Job 38:36  "Who do you think gave weather-wisdom to the ibis, and storm-savvy to the rooster?

Job 38:37  Does anyone know enough to number all the clouds or tip over the rain barrels of heaven

Job 38:38  When the earth is cracked and dry, the ground baked hard as a brick?

Job 38:39  "Can you teach the lioness to stalk her prey and satisfy the appetite of her cubs

Job 38:40  As they crouch in their den, waiting hungrily in their cave?

Job 38:41  And who sets out food for the ravens when their young cry to God, fluttering about because they have no food?