Job 37
1 “My heart pounds [DOU] when [I think about] that.
Aye, my heart trembleth at this also, and leapeth up out of its place:
2 Listen, all of you, to the thunder, which is like God’s voice [DOU].
Hear attentively the roar of his voice, and the murmur going forth from 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 sendeth it forth under the whole heaven, and his lightning unto 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 roareth: he thundereth with the voice of his excellency, and holdeth not back the flashes when his voice is heard.
5 When God speaks, it is awesome, like thunder; he does amazing things which we cannot [fully] understand.
God thundereth marvellously with his voice, doing great things which we do not comprehend.
6 He commands the snow to fall on the ground, and [sometimes] he causes it to rain very hard.
For he saith to the snow, Fall on the earth! and to the pouring rain, even the pouring rains of his might.
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 sealeth up the hand of every man; that all men may know his work.
8 [When it rains, ] animals go into their hiding places, and they remain there [until the rain stops].
And the wild beast goeth into its lair, and they 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.
From the chamber [of the south] cometh the whirlwind; and cold from the winds 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 straitened.
11 God fills the clouds with moisture/hail, and lightning flashes from the clouds.
Also with plentiful moisture he loadeth the thick clouds, his light dispels the cloud;
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 they are turned every way by his guidance, that they may do whatsoever he commandeth them upon the face of the circuit of the earth,
13 Sometimes God sends rain to punish us, and sometimes he sends rain to show us that he acts kindly toward us.
Whether he cause it to come as a rod, or for his land, or in mercy.
14 “Job, listen to this; stop and think about the wonderful things that God does.
Hearken unto this, Job; stand still and discern 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]
Dost thou know how God hath disposed them, and how he causeth the lightning of his cloud to flash?
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]
Dost thou know about the balancings of the clouds, the wondrous works of him that 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 become warm when he quieteth the earth by 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]
Hast thou with him spread out the sky, firm, like 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 unto him! We cannot order [our words] by reason 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 if I would speak? if a man [so] say, surely he shall be 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] see not the light as it gleameth, it is [hidden] in the skies. But the wind passeth by and cleareth them.
22 God comes out of the north with a light [that shines like] gold; his glory causes us to be afraid.
From the north cometh gold; with God is terrible majesty.
23 Almighty God is very powerful, and we cannot come near to him. He always acts righteously, and he will never oppress us.
The Almighty, we cannot find him out: excellent in power, and in judgment, and in abundance of justice, he doth 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 do therefore fear him: he respecteth not any that are wise of heart.
