< Job 37 >
1 At this also my heart trembleth, and is moved out of its place.
At this my heart is shaking; it is moved out of its place.
2 Hearken ye unto the noise of his voice, and the sound that goeth out of his mouth.
Give ear to the rolling noise of his voice; to the hollow sound which goes out of his mouth.
3 He sendeth it forth under the whole heaven, and his lightning unto the ends of the earth.
He sends it out through all the heaven, and his thunder-flame to the ends of the earth.
4 After it a voice roareth; he thundereth with the voice of his majesty: and he stayeth them not when his voice is heard.
After it a voice is sounding, thundering out the word of his power; he does not keep back his thunder-flames; from his mouth his voice is sounding.
5 God thundereth marvelously with his voice; great things doeth he, which we cannot comprehend.
He does wonders, more than may be searched out; great things of which we have no knowledge;
6 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.
For he says to the snow, Make the earth wet; and to the rain-storm, Come down.
7 He sealeth up the hand of every man; that all men whom he hath made may know [it].
He puts an end to the work of every man, so that all may see his work.
8 Then the beasts go into coverts, and remain in their dens.
Then the beasts go into their holes, and take their rest.
9 Out of the chamber [of the south] cometh the storm: and cold out of the north.
Out of its place comes the storm-wind, and the cold out of its store-houses.
10 By the breath of God ice is given: and the breadth of the waters is straitened.
By the breath of God ice is made, and the wide waters are shut in.
11 Yea, he ladeth the thick cloud with moisture; he spreadeth abroad the cloud of his lightning:
The thick cloud is weighted with thunder-flame, and the cloud sends out its light;
12 And it is turned round about by his guidance, that they may do whatsoever he commandeth them upon the face of the habitable world.
And it goes this way and that, round about, turning itself by his guiding, to do whatever he gives orders to be done, on the face of his world of men,
13 Whether it be for correction, or for his land, or for mercy, that he cause it to come.
For a rod, or for a curse, or for mercy, causing it to come on the mark.
14 Hearken unto this, O Job: stand still, and consider the wondrous works of God.
Give ear to this, O Job, and keep quiet in your place; and take note of the wonders worked by God.
15 Dost thou know how God layeth [his charge] upon them, and causeth the lightning of his cloud to shine?
Have you knowledge of God's ordering of his works, how he makes the light of his cloud to be seen?
16 Dost thou know the balancings of the clouds, the wondrous works of him which is perfect in knowledge?
Have you knowledge of the balancings of the clouds, the wonders of him who has all wisdom?
17 How thy garments are warm, when the earth is still by reason of the south [wind]?
You, whose clothing is warm, when the earth is quiet because of the south wind,
18 Canst thou with him spread out the sky, which is strong as a molten mirror?
Will you, with him, make the skies smooth, and strong as a polished looking-glass?
19 Teach us what we shall say unto him; [for] we cannot order [our speech] by reason of darkness.
Make clear to me what we are to say to him; we are unable to put our cause before him, because of the dark.
20 Shall it be told him that I would speak? or should a man wish that he were swallowed up?
How may he have knowledge of my desire for talk with him? or did any man ever say, May destruction come on me?
21 And now men see not the light which is bright in the skies: but the wind passeth, and cleanseth them.
And now the light is not seen, for it is dark because of the clouds; but a wind comes, clearing them away.
22 Out of the north cometh golden splendour: God hath upon him terrible majesty.
A bright light comes out of the north; God's glory is greatly to be feared.
23 [Touching] the Almighty, we can not find him out; he is excellent in power: and in judgment and plenteous justice he will not afflict.
There is no searching out of the Ruler of all: his strength and his judging are great; he is full of righteousness, doing no wrong.
24 Men do therefore fear him: he regardeth not any that are wise of heart.
For this cause men go in fear of him; he has no respect for any who are wise in heart.