Job 37
1 At this my heart trembles, beating rapidly within me!
At this also my heart trembleth, and is moved out of its place.
2 Listen carefully to God's thunderous voice that rumbles as he speaks.
Hearken ye unto the noise of his voice, and the sound that goeth out of his mouth.
3 He sends it across the heaven; his lightning flashes to the ends of the earth.
He sendeth it forth under the whole heaven, and his lightning unto 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 roareth; he thundereth with the voice of his majesty: and he stayeth them not when his voice is heard.
5 God's thunderous voice is wonderful! We can't comprehend the great things he does!
God thundereth marvelously with his voice; great things doeth he, which we cannot comprehend.
6 He tells the snow to fall and the rain to pour down on the earth.
For he saith 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 sealeth up the hand of every man; that all men whom he hath 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] cometh 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 straitened.
11 He fills the clouds with moisture; he scatters his lightning from them.
Yea, he ladeth the thick cloud with moisture; he spreadeth 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 whatsoever he commandeth them upon the face of the habitable world.
13 He does this to accomplish his will, either to discipline or to show his goodness.
Whether it be for correction, or for his land, or for mercy, that he cause it to come.
14 Listen to this, Job! Stop for a moment and consider the wonderful things God does.
Hearken unto 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?
Dost thou know how God layeth [his charge] upon them, and causeth 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.
Dost thou know the balancings of the clouds, the wondrous works of him which 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 by reason of the south [wind]?
18 Can you hammer out the sky so it becomes like a molten mirror, as he does?
Canst 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 unto him; [for] we cannot order [our speech] by reason 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 see not the light which is bright in the skies: but the wind passeth, and cleanseth them.
22 Out of the north God comes shining like gold, surrounded in awesome majesty.
Out of the north cometh golden splendour: God hath upon him terrible majesty.
23 We cannot approach the Almighty for he is far beyond us in power and justice, and doing right.
[Touching] the Almighty, we can not find him out; he is excellent in power: and in judgment and plenteous justice 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 do therefore fear him: he regardeth not any that are wise of heart.
