God Speaks of His Creation

1Knowest thou the time when the wild goats of the rock bring forth? or canst thou mark when the hinds do calve?

2Canst thou number the months that they fulfill? or knowest thou the time when they bring forth?

3They bow themselves, they bring forth their young, they cast out their sorrows.

4Their young ones are in good liking, they grow up in the open field; they go forth, and return not again,

5Who hath sent out the wild ass free? or who hath loosed the bands of the wild ass?

6Whose house I have made the wilderness, and the salt land his dwelling place.

7He scorneth the tumult of the city, neither heareth he the shoutings of the driver.

8The range of the mountains is his pasture, and he searcheth after every green thing.

9Will the wild-ox be content to serve thee? or will he abide by thy crib?

10Canst thou bind the wild-ox with his band in the furrow? or will he harrow the valleys after thee?

11Wilt thou trust him, because his strength is great? or wilt thou leave to him thy labour?

12Wilt thou confide in him, that he will bring home thy seed, and gather the corn of thy threshingfloor?

13The wing of the ostrich rejoiceth, but are her pinions and feathers kindly?

14For she leaveth her eggs on the earth, and warmeth them in the dust,

15And forgetteth that the foot may crush them, or that the wild beast may trample them.

16She is hardened against her young ones, as if they were not hers: though her labour be in vain, she is without fear;

17Because God hath deprived her of wisdom, neither hath he imparted to her understanding.

18What time she lifteth up herself on high, she scorneth the horse and his rider.

19Hast thou given the horse his might? hast thou clothed his neck with the quivering mane?

20Hast thou made him to leap as a locust? the glory of his snorting is terrible.

21He paweth in the valley, and rejoiceth in his strength: he goeth out to meet the armed men.

22He mocketh at fear, and is not dismayed; neither turneth he back from the sword.

23The quiver rattleth against him, the flashing spear and the javelin.

24He swalloweth the ground with fierceness and rage; neither believeth he that it is the voice of the trumpet.

25As oft as the trumpet soundeth he saith, Aha! and he smelleth the battle afar off, the thunder of the captains, and the shouting.

26Doth the hawk soar by thy wisdom, and stretch her wings toward the south?

27Doth the eagle mount up at thy command, and make her nest on high?

28She dwelleth on the rock, and hath her lodging there, upon the crag of the rock, and the strong hold.

29From thence she spieth out the prey; her eyes behold it afar off.

30Her young ones also suck up blood: and where the slain are, there is she.