< Job 37 >
1 At this also my heart trembles, and is moved out of his place.
“Yes, at this my heart trembles, and is moved out of its place.
2 Hear attentively the noise of his voice, and the sound that goes out of his mouth.
Hear, oh, hear the noise of his voice, the sound that goes out of his mouth.
3 He directs it under the whole heaven, and his lightning unto the ends of the earth.
He sends it out under the whole sky, and his lightning to the ends of the earth.
4 After it a voice roars: he thunders with the voice of his excellency; and he will not stay them when his voice is heard.
After it a voice roars. He thunders with the voice of his majesty. He doesn’t hold back anything when his voice is heard.
5 God thunders marvellously with his voice; great things does he, which we cannot comprehend.
God thunders marvellously with his voice. He does great things, which we can’t comprehend.
6 For he says to the snow, Be you on the earth; likewise to the small rain, and to the great rain of his strength.
For he says to the snow, ‘Fall on the earth,’ likewise to the shower of rain, and to the showers of his mighty rain.
7 He seals up the hand of every man; that all men may know his work.
He seals up the hand of every man, that all men whom he has made may know it.
8 Then the beasts go into dens, and remain in their places.
Then the animals take cover, and remain in their dens.
9 Out of the south comes the whirlwind: and cold out of the north.
Out of its room comes the storm, and cold out of the north.
10 By the breath of God frost is given: and the breadth of the waters is straitened.
By the breath of God, ice is given, and the width of the waters is frozen.
11 Also by watering he wearies the thick cloud: he scatters his bright cloud:
Yes, he loads the thick cloud with moisture. He spreads abroad the cloud of his lightning.
12 And it is turned round about by his counsels: that they may do whatsoever he commands them upon the face of the world in the earth.
It is turned around by his guidance, that they may do whatever he commands them on the surface of the habitable world,
13 He causes it to come, whether for correction, or for his land, or for mercy.
whether it is for correction, or for his land, or for loving kindness, that he causes it to come.
14 Hearken unto this, O Job: stand still, and consider the wondrous works of God.
“Listen to this, Job. Stand still, and consider the wondrous works of God.
15 Do you know when God disposed them, and caused the light of his cloud to shine?
Do you know how God controls them, and causes the lightning of his cloud to shine?
16 Do you know the balancings of the clouds, the wondrous works of him which is perfect in knowledge?
Do you know the workings of the clouds, the wondrous works of him who is perfect in knowledge?
17 How your garments are warm, when he stills the earth by the south wind?
You whose clothing is warm when the earth is still by reason of the south wind?
18 Have you with him spread out the sky, which is strong, and as a molten looking glass?
Can you, with him, spread out the sky, which is strong as a cast metal mirror?
19 Teach us what we shall say unto him; for we cannot order our speech by reason of darkness.
Teach us what we will tell him, for we can’t make our case by reason of darkness.
20 Shall it be told him that I speak? if a man speak, surely he shall be swallowed up.
Will it be told him that I would speak? Or should a man wish that he were swallowed up?
21 And now men see not the bright light which is in the clouds: but the wind passes, and cleanses them.
Now men don’t see the light which is bright in the skies, but the wind passes, and clears them.
22 Fair weather comes out of the north: with God is terrible majesty.
Out of the north comes golden splendour. With God is awesome majesty.
23 Concerning the Almighty, we cannot find him out: he is excellent in power, and in judgment, and in plenty of justice: he will not afflict.
We can’t reach the Almighty. He is exalted in power. In justice and great righteousness, he will not oppress.
24 Men do therefore fear him: he respects not any that are wise of heart.
Therefore men revere him. He doesn’t regard any who are wise of heart.”