Job 26

1But Job answered and said,

2How hast thou helped him that is without power? how savest thou the arm that hath no strength?

3How hast thou counselled him that hath no wisdom? and how hast thou plentifully declared the thing as it is?

4To whom hast thou uttered words? and whose spirit came from thee?

5Dead things are formed from under the waters, and the inhabitants thereof.footnote a

6Hell is naked before him, and destruction hath no covering.

7He stretcheth out the north over the empty place, and hangeth the earth upon nothing.

8He bindeth up the waters in his thick clouds; and the cloud is not rent under them.

9He holdeth back the face of his throne, and spreadeth his cloud upon it.

10He hath compassed the waters with bounds, until the day and night come to an end.footnote b

11The pillars of heaven tremble and are astonished at his reproof.

12He divideth the sea with his power, and by his understanding he smiteth through the proud.footnote c

13By his spirit he hath garnished the heavens; his hand hath formed the crooked serpent.

14Lo, these are parts of his ways: but how little a portion is heard of him? but the thunder of his power who can understand?

Job: Who Can Understand God’s Majesty?

1Then Job answered:

2“How you have helped the powerlessand saved the arm that is feeble! 3How you have counseled the unwiseand provided fully sound insight! 4To whom have you uttered these words?And whose spirit spoke through you?

5The dead tremble—those beneath the waters and those who dwell in them. 6Sheol is naked before God,and Abaddonfootnote ahas no covering. 7He stretches out the north over empty space;He hangs the earth upon nothing. 8He wraps up the waters in His clouds,yet the clouds do not burst under their own weight. 9He covers the face of the full moon,footnote bspreading over it His cloud. 10He has inscribed a horizon on the face of the watersat the boundary between light and darkness. 11The foundations of heaven quake,astounded at His rebuke. 12By His power He stirredfootnote cthe sea;by His understanding He shattered Rahab. 13By His breath the skies were cleared;His hand pierced the fleeing serpent.footnote d 14Indeed, these are but the fringes of His ways;how faint is the whisper we hear of Him!Who then can understandthe thunder of His power?”