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