Job 37
1 At this my heart trembles, beating rapidly within me!
Yea, at this my heart trembles, and is moved out of its place.
2 Listen carefully to God's thunderous voice that rumbles as he speaks.
Hear, O, hear the noise of his voice, and the sound that goes out of his mouth.
3 He sends it across the heaven; his lightning flashes to the ends of the earth.
He sends it forth under the whole heaven, and his lightning to the ends of the earth.
4 Then comes the roar of thunder, his majestic voice holding nothing back when he speaks.
After it a voice roars. He thunders with the voice of his majesty, and he does not restrain the lightnings when his voice is heard.
5 God's thunderous voice is wonderful! We can't comprehend the great things he does!
God thunders marvelously with his voice. He does great things which we cannot comprehend.
6 He tells the snow to fall and the rain to pour down on the earth.
For he says to the snow, Fall thou on the earth, likewise to the shower of rain, and to the showers of his mighty rain.
7 By this he stops people working so that everyone can understand what he does.
He seals up the hand of every man, that all men whom he has made may know it.
8 Even the animals take shelter and remain in their dens.
Then the beasts go into coverts, and remain in their dens.
9 The south wind blows in storms, while the north wind blows in cold weather.
Out of the chamber of the south comes the storm, and cold out of the north.
10 God's breath produces ice, freezing the surface of water solid.
By the breath of God ice is given, and the breadth of the waters is narrowed.
11 He fills the clouds with moisture; he scatters his lightning from them.
Yea, he loads the thick cloud with moisture. He spreads abroad the cloud of his lightning,
12 They swirl around under his control; they move over all the earth as he commands.
and it is turned round about by his guidance, that they may do whatever he commands them upon the face of the habitable world.
13 He does this to accomplish his will, either to discipline or to show his goodness.
He causes it to come, whether it be for correction, or for his land, or for loving kindness.
14 Listen to this, Job! Stop for a moment and consider the wonderful things God does.
Hearken to this, O Job. Stand still, and consider the wondrous works of God.
15 Do you know how God controls the clouds, or makes his lightning flash from them?
Do thou know how God lays his charge upon them, and causes the lightning of his cloud to shine?
16 Do you know how clouds float in the sky—the wonderful work of him who knows everything.
Do thou know the balancing of the clouds, the wondrous works of him who is perfect in knowledge?
17 You know how your clothes drip with sweat when the south wind brings air that is hot and heavy.
How thy garments are warm when the earth is still because of the south wind?
18 Can you hammer out the sky so it becomes like a molten mirror, as he does?
Can thou with him spread out the sky, which is strong as a molten mirror?
19 So why don't you teach us what to tell God? We cannot make our case because we are in the dark!
Teach us what we shall say to him. We cannot set in array because of darkness.
20 Should God be told that I want to speak? Anyone who wanted to would be destroyed!
Shall it be told him that I would speak? Or should a man wish that he were swallowed up?
21 After all, we can't look at the sun when it blazes brightly in the sky, after the wind has cleared away the clouds.
And now men do not see the light which is bright in the skies, but the wind passes, and clears them.
22 Out of the north God comes shining like gold, surrounded in awesome majesty.
Out of the north comes golden splendor. God has upon him awesome majesty.
23 We cannot approach the Almighty for he is far beyond us in power and justice, and doing right.
O the Almighty, we cannot find him out. He is excellent in power. And in justice and abundant righteousness he will not afflict.
24 He does not act like a tyrant—no wonder people are in awe of him, though he does not value those who think they're wise.”
Men therefore fear him. He does not regard any who are wise of heart.
