Job 37
1 “My heart pounds [DOU] when [I think about] that.
Yea, at this my heart trembles, and is moved out of its place.
2 Listen, all of you, to the thunder, which is like God’s voice [DOU].
Hear, O, hear the noise of his voice, and the sound that goes out of his mouth.
3 He causes thunder to be heard all across the sky, and he causes lighting to flash to the most distant places on the earth.
He sends it forth under the whole heaven, and his lightning to the ends of the earth.
4 After [the lightning flashes], we hear the thunder which is like [MET] God’s majestic voice; he does not restrain the lightning 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 When God speaks, it is awesome, like thunder; he does amazing things which we cannot [fully] understand.
God thunders marvelously with his voice. He does great things which we cannot comprehend.
6 He commands the snow to fall on the ground, and [sometimes] he causes it to rain very hard.
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 And [when God does that, ] it prevents people [SYN] from working, in order that all people may know that he is the one who has done that (OR, what he can do).
He seals up the hand of every man, that all men whom he has made may know it.
8 [When it rains, ] animals go into their hiding places, and they remain there [until the rain stops].
Then the beasts go into coverts, and remain in their dens.
9 The storms/hurricanes come from the place [in the south where they start], and the cold wind comes from the north.
Out of the chamber of the south comes the storm, and cold out of the north.
10 [In the (winter/cold season), the cold north wind is like] God’s breath [that] causes [MET] water to freeze; he causes the lakes/streams to become ice.
By the breath of God ice is given, and the breadth of the waters is narrowed.
11 God fills the clouds with moisture/hail, and lightning flashes from the clouds.
Yea, he loads the thick cloud with moisture. He spreads abroad the cloud of his lightning,
12 He guides the clouds and causes them to move back and forth in order that they may accomplish all that he commands them to do, all over the world.
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 Sometimes God sends rain to punish us, and sometimes he sends rain to show us that he acts kindly toward us.
He causes it to come, whether it be for correction, or for his land, or for loving kindness.
14 “Job, listen to this; stop and think about the wonderful things that God does.
Hearken to this, O Job. Stand still, and consider the wondrous works of God.
15 (Do you know how God commands the lightning to flash down from the clouds?/We do not know how God commands the lightning to flash down from the clouds.) [RHQ]
Do thou know how God lays his charge upon them, and causes the lightning of his cloud to shine?
16 Only God knows everything perfectly; so (do you know how he causes the clouds to (move/float) (amazingly/wonderfully) across the sky?/you certainly do not know how he causes the clouds to (move/float) (amazingly/wonderfully) across the sky!) [RHQ]
Do thou know the balancing of the clouds, the wondrous works of him who is perfect in knowledge?
17 No, you just sweat there in your clothes; [it is very oppressive] when the [hot] wind stops blowing from the south and [all the leaves on the trees] (become still/do not move).
How thy garments are warm when the earth is still because of the south wind?
18 (Can you stretch out the skies like God does and make them as hard as [SIM] a sheet of polished brass?/You certainly cannot stretch out the skies like God does and make them as hard as [SIM] a sheet of polished brass!) [RHQ]
Can thou with him spread out the sky, which is strong as a molten mirror?
19 “Job, tell us(exc) what we should say to God; we do not know anything [IDM]. As a result, we do not know what to say to him to defend ourselves.
Teach us what we shall say to him. We cannot set in array because of darkness.
20 Should I tell God that I want to speak to him? No, because [if I did that, ] he might destroy me.
Shall it be told him that I would speak? Or should a man wish that he were swallowed up?
21 Now, people cannot look [directly] at the sun when it shines brightly in the sky after the wind has blown the clouds away; [so, we certainly cannot look at the brightness of God].
And now men do not see the light which is bright in the skies, but the wind passes, and clears them.
22 God comes out of the north with a light [that shines like] gold; his glory causes us to be afraid.
Out of the north comes golden splendor. God has upon him awesome majesty.
23 Almighty God is very powerful, and we cannot come near to him. He always acts righteously, and he will never oppress us.
O the Almighty, we cannot find him out. He is excellent in power. And in justice and abundant righteousness he will not afflict.
24 That is the reason that we have an awesome respect for him; he does not pay attention to those who proudly, [but wrongly], think that they are wise.”
Men therefore fear him. He does not regard any who are wise of heart.
