Job 26 KJV

Summary: Job responds with biting sarcasm, asking Bildad how he has helped the powerless or given counsel to the unwise with such a thin speech, before pivoting into his own soaring description of God's power that surpasses anything his friends have offered. He describes the dead trembling beneath the waters, Sheol lying naked before God, the earth hung on nothing, waters bound in thick clouds without bursting, and the pillars of heaven trembling at God's rebuke, including God's power that "stilleth the sea" and pierces the fleeing serpent. Job concludes that even these mighty acts are merely "the outskirts of his ways," the faint whisper of God's full power, which no one can truly comprehend (v. 14).

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.

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.

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.

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?

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