Job 39

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

Do you know when mountain goats give birth? Or can you tell when deer are in labor?

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

Can you count the months until they reach their end? Or do you know when they will give birth?

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

They humbly kneel, giving life to their offspring, releasing their pain.

Their young ones are in good liking, they grow up with corn; they go forth, and return not unto them.

Their children are healthy and strong, nurtured by the earth's bounty. They venture out into the world, never to return to their parents' side.

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

Who has given the wild donkey its freedom? Who has untied its bonds?

Whose house I have made the wilderness, and the barren land his dwellings.

I've turned the vast wilderness into their home, and the barren lands into their dwelling place.

He scorneth the multitude of the city, neither regardeth he the crying of the driver.

He dismisses the city's crowds, unmoved by the shouts of a driver.

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

The vast expanse of mountains is his pasture, and he searches out every green thing.

Will the unicorn be willing to serve thee, or abide by thy crib?

Would the wild ox willingly serve you, or stay the night by your manger?

Canst thou bind the unicorn with his band in the furrow? or will he harrow the valleys after thee?

Can you harness the wild ox to plow your fields? Or will it willingly follow you to cultivate the valleys?

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

Would you rely on him, awed by his immense power? Or would you entrust him with your hard work?

Wilt thou believe him, that he will bring home thy seed, and gather it into thy barn?

Do you trust him to bring your harvest home and store it in your granary?

Gavest thou the goodly wings unto the peacocks? or wings and feathers unto the ostrich?

Did you grant the peacock its splendid wings? Or did you give the ostrich its wings and feathers?

Which leaveth her eggs in the earth, and warmeth them in dust,

She leaves her eggs nestled in the earth, finding warmth and comfort in the dust.

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

She forgets that a careless step could crush them, or that a wild animal could trample them.

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

She shows no affection for her children, as if they weren't her own. She has no worry that her efforts may be wasted.

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

Simply put, God didn't bless her with wisdom or understanding.

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

When she rises up, she looks down on the horse and its rider with disdain.

Hast thou given the horse strength? hast thou clothed his neck with thunder?

Did you bless the horse with power? Did you adorn its neck with roaring might?

Canst thou make him afraid as a grasshopper? the glory of his nostrils is terrible.

Can you scare him like a tiny grasshopper? His breath is a fearsome spectacle.

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

He joyfully strides through the valley, his strength making him fearless. He eagerly confronts those ready for battle.

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

He laughs in the face of fear, unafraid; he never backs down from a fight.

The quiver rattleth against him, the glittering spear and the shield.

The quiver rattles against his side, along with the sparkling spear and the shield.

He swalloweth the ground with fierceness and rage: neither believeth he that it is the sound of the trumpet.

With fiery anger, he devours the earth, refusing to believe the trumpet's call.

He saith among the trumpets, Ha, ha; and he smelleth the battle afar off, the thunder of the captains, and the shouting.

He laughs amidst the blaring trumpets, sensing the distant battle; he feels the thunderous commands of the leaders and the warriors' cries.

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

Does the hawk soar high because of your wisdom, spreading its wings towards the south?

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

Does the eagle soar to the skies at your beck and call, and build her home in the heavens?

She dwelleth and abideth on the rock, upon the crag of the rock, and the strong place.

She lives steadfastly on the rock, perched on the rugged cliff, in a place of strength and security.

From thence she seeketh the prey, and her eyes behold afar off.

From there, she hunts for her sustenance, her gaze reaching into the distance.

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

Her offspring too, thirst for blood; she is found where death has claimed its due.