Job 37
1 “My heart pounds [DOU] when [I think about] that.
At this also my heart trembleth, and is moved out of its place.
2 Listen, all of you, to the thunder, which is like God’s voice [DOU].
Hear attentively the noise of His voice, and the sound that goeth 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 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 majesty; and He stayeth them not 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; great things doeth He, 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 saith 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 sealeth up the hand of every man, that all men whom He hath 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 cometh 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 straitened.
11 God fills the clouds with moisture/hail, and lightning flashes from the clouds.
Yea, He ladeth the thick cloud with moister, He spreadeth 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 they are turned round about by His guidance, that they may do whatsoever He commandeth 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.
Whether it be for correction, or for His earth, or for mercy, that He cause it to come.
14 “Job, listen to this; stop and think about the wonderful things that God does.
Hearken unto 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]
Dost thou know how God enjoineth them, and causeth 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]
Dost thou know the balancings 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).
Thou whose garments are warm, when the earth is still by reason 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]
Canst 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 unto Him; for we cannot order our speech 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 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 see not the light which is bright in the skies; but the wind passeth, and cleanseth 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 cometh golden splendour, about 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, whom we cannot find out, is excellent in power, yet to judgment and plenteous justice He doeth no violence.
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 regardeth not any that are wise of heart.
