Job 37

1 "Yes, at this my heart trembles, and is moved out of its place.

Indeed, my heart trembles at this; it is moved out of its place.

2 Hear, oh, hear the noise of his voice, the sound that goes out of his mouth.

Hear, oh, hear the noise of his voice, the sound that goes out from his mouth.

3 He sends it forth under the whole sky, and his lightning to the farthest parts of the earth.

He sends it out under the whole sky, and he sends out his lightning to the edges 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.

A voice roars after it; he thunders with the voice of his majesty; he does not restrain the lightning bolts when his voice is heard.

5 God thunders marvelously with his voice. He does great things, which we can't comprehend.

God thunders marvelously with his voice; he does great things that 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 says to the snow, 'Fall on the earth'; likewise to the rain shower, 'Become a great shower of rain.'

7 He seals up the hand of every man, that all men whom he has made may know it.

He stops the hand of every man from working, so that all people whom he has made may see his deeds.

8 Then the animals take cover, and remain in their dens.

Then the beasts go into hiding and stay in their dens.

9 Out of its chamber comes the storm, and cold out of the north.

The storm comes from its chamber in the south and the cold from the scattering winds in the north.

10 By the breath of God, ice is given, and the breadth of the waters is frozen.

By the breath of God ice is given; the expanse of the waters is frozen like metal.

11 Yes, he loads the thick cloud with moisture. He spreads abroad the cloud of his lightning.

Indeed, he weighs down the thick cloud with moisture; he scatters his lightning through the clouds.

12 It is turned around by his guidance, that they may do whatever he commands them on the surface of the habitable world,

He swirls the clouds around by his guidance, so that they may do whatever he commands them above the surface of the whole world.

13 Whether it is for correction, or for his land, or for loving kindness, that he causes it to come.

He makes all of this happen; sometimes it happens for correction, sometimes for his land, and sometimes as acts of covenant faithfulness.

14 "Listen to this, Job. Stand still, and consider the wondrous works of God.

Listen to this, Job; stop and think about God's marvelous deeds.

15 Do you know how God controls them, and causes the lightning of his cloud to shine?

Do you know how God establishes the clouds and makes the lightning bolts to flash in them?

16 Do you know the workings of the clouds, the wondrous works of him who is perfect in knowledge?

Do you understand the floating of the clouds, the marvelous deeds of God, who is perfect in knowledge?

17 You whose clothing is warm, when the earth is still by reason of the south wind?

Do you understand how your garments become hot when the land is still because the wind comes from the south?

18 Can you, with him, spread out the sky, which is strong as a cast metal mirror?

Can you spread out the sky as he can— the sky, which is as strong as a mirror of cast metal?

19 Teach us what we shall tell him, for we can't make our case by reason of darkness.

Teach us what we should say to him, for we cannot lay out our arguments in order because of the darkness of our minds.

20 Shall it be told him that I would speak? Or should a man wish that he were swallowed up?

Should he be told that I wish to speak with him? Would a person wish to be swallowed up?

21 Now men do not see the light which is bright in the skies, but the wind passes, and clears them.

Now, people cannot look at the sun when it is bright in the sky after the wind has passed through and has cleared it of its clouds.

22 Out of the north comes golden splendor. With God is awesome majesty.

Out of the north comes golden splendor— over God is fearsome majesty.

23 We can't reach Shaddai. He is exalted in power. In justice and great righteousness, he will not oppress.

As for the Almighty, we cannot find him! He is great in power; he does not oppress justice and abundant righteousness.

24 Therefore men revere him. He doesn't regard any who are wise of heart."

Therefore, people fear him. He does not pay any attention to those who are wise in their own minds.”