The Tanakh · JPS 1917 Translation

Job 39

Jewish Publication Society 1917 · Ketuvim — the Writings

Job chapter 39 — part of the Ketuvim — the Writings in the Jewish Bible. In the classic JPS 1917 translation it opens: “Knowest thou the time when the wild goats of the rock bring forth? Or canst thou mark when the hinds do calve?” — the complete text of all 30 verses is below, free to read online.

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 fulfil? Or knowest thou the time when they bring forth?

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

4Their young ones wax strong, 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 willing 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 thy labour to him?

12Wilt thou rely on him, that he will bring home thy seed, and gather the corn of thy threshing-floor?

13The wing of the ostrich beateth joyously; but are her pinions and feathers the kindly stork's?

14For she leaveth her eggs on the earth, and warmeth them in 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 G-d hath deprived her of wisdom, neither hath He imparted to her understanding.

18When the time cometh, she raiseth her wings on high, and scorneth the horse and his rider.

19Hast thou given the horse his strength? Hast thou clothed his neck with fierceness?

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 clash of arms.

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

23The quiver rattleth upon him, the glittering spear and the javelin.

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

25As oft as he heareth the horn he saith: 'Ha, ha!' 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 vulture mount up at thy command, and make her nest on high?

28She dwelleth and abideth on the rock, upon the crag of the rock, and the stronghold.

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.

30 verses · JPS 1917 (public domain)

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