They brayed like animals among the bushes and were huddled together under the nettles.

I have become a brother to jackals and a companion of ostriches.

My skin has turned dark on me; my body is hot with fever.

“If my land cried out against me and all its furrows wept together,

For I am full of words, and the spirit within me constrains me.

Yet God finds occasions with me; he regards me as his enemy!

Pay attention, Job – listen to me; be silent, and I will speak.

For Job says, ‘I am innocent, but God turns away my right.

There is no darkness, and no deep darkness, where evildoers can hide themselves.

With his hands he covers the lightning, and directs it against its target.

The breath of God produces ice, and the breadth of the waters freeze solid.

“Pay attention to this, Job! Stand still and consider the wonders God works.

will you, with him, spread out the clouds, solid as a mirror of molten metal?

when I made the storm clouds its garment, and thick darkness its swaddling band,

It ranges the hills as its pasture, and searches after every green plant.

Do you make it leap like a locust? Its proud neighing is terrifying!

Will partners bargain for it? Will they divide it up among the merchants?

The folds of its flesh are tightly joined; they are firm on it, immovable.

They say, “Let’s tear off the shackles they’ve put on us! Let’s free ourselves from their ropes!”

“I myself have installed my king on Zion, my holy hill.”