[1] Knowest thou the time when the wild goats of the rock bring forth? Or canst thou mark when the hinds do calve?
[2] Canst thou number the months that they fulfil? Or knowest thou the time when they bring forth?
[3] They bow themselves, they bring forth their young, They cast out their pains.
[4] Their young ones become strong, they grow up in the open field; They go forth, and return not again.
[5] Who hath sent out the wild ass free? Or who hath loosed the bonds of the swift ass,
[6] Whose home I have made the wilderness, And the salt land his dwelling-place?
[7] He scorneth the tumult of the city, Neither heareth he the shoutings of the driver.
[8] The range of the mountains is his pasture, And he searcheth after every green thing.
[9] Will the wild-ox be content to serve thee? Or will he abide by thy crib?
[10] Canst thou bind the wild-ox with his band in the furrow? Or will he harrow the valleys after thee?
[11] Wilt thou trust him, because his strength is great? Or wilt thou leave to him thy labor?
[12] Wilt thou confide in him, that he will bring home thy seed, And gatherthe grainof thy threshing-floor?
[13] The wings of the ostrich wave proudly; But are they the pinions and plumage of love?
[14] For she leaveth her eggs on the earth, And warmeth them in the dust,
[15] And forgetteth that the foot may crush them, Or that the wild beast may trample them.
[16] She dealeth hardly with her young ones, as if they were not hers: Though her labor be in vain, she is without fear;
[17] Because God hath deprived her of wisdom, Neither hath he imparted to her understanding.
[18] What time she lifteth up herself on high, She scorneth the horse and his rider.
[19] Hast thou given the horsehismight? Hast thou clothed his neck with the quivering mane?
[20] Hast thou made him to leap as a locust? The glory of his snorting is terrible.
[21] He paweth in the valley, and rejoiceth in his strength: He goeth out to meet the armed men.
[22] He mocketh at fear, and is not dismayed; Neither turneth he back from the sword.
[23] The quiver rattleth against him, The flashing spear and the javelin.
[24] He swalloweth the ground with fierceness and rage; Neither believeth he that it is the voice of the trumpet.
[25] As oft as the trumpetsoundethhe saith, Aha! And he smelleth the battle afar off, The thunder of the captains, and the shouting.
[26] Is it by thy wisdom that the hawk soareth, And stretcheth her wings toward the south?
[27] Is it at thy command that the eagle mounteth up, And maketh her nest on high?
[28] On the cliff she dwelleth, and maketh her home, Upon the point of the cliff, and the stronghold.
[29] From thence she spieth out the prey; Her eyes behold it afar off.
[30] Her young ones also suck up blood: And where the slain are, there is she.
