Job 37

1 Aye, my heart trembleth at this also, and leapeth up out of its place:

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

2 Hear attentively the roar of his voice, and the murmur going forth from his mouth.

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

3 He sendeth it forth under the whole heaven, and his lightning unto the ends of the earth.

He sends it out under the whole sky, and his lightning to the ends of the earth.

4 After it a voice roareth: he thundereth with the voice of his excellency, and holdeth not back the flashes when his voice is heard.

After it a voice roars. He thunders with the voice of his majesty. He doesn’t hold back anything when his voice is heard.

5 God thundereth marvellously with his voice, doing great things which we do not comprehend.

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

6 For he saith to the snow, Fall on the earth! and to the pouring rain, even the pouring rains of his might.

For he says to the snow, ‘Fall on the earth,’ likewise to the shower of rain, and to the showers of his mighty rain.

7 He sealeth up the hand of every man; that all men may know his work.

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

8 And the wild beast goeth into its lair, and they remain in their dens.

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

9 From the chamber [of the south] cometh the whirlwind; and cold from the winds of the north.

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

10 By the breath of God ice is given; and the breadth of the waters is straitened.

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

11 Also with plentiful moisture he loadeth the thick clouds, his light dispels the cloud;

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

12 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,

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

13 Whether he cause it to come as a rod, or for his land, or in mercy.

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

14 Hearken unto this, Job; stand still and discern the wondrous works of God.

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

15 Dost thou know how God hath disposed them, and how he causeth the lightning of his cloud to flash?

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

16 Dost thou know about the balancings of the clouds, the wondrous works of him that is perfect in knowledge?

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

17 How thy garments become warm when he quieteth the earth by the south wind?

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

18 Hast thou with him spread out the sky, firm, like a molten mirror?

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

19 Teach us what we shall say unto him! We cannot order [our words] by reason of darkness.

Teach us what we will tell him, for we can’t make our case by reason of darkness.

20 Shall it be told him if I would speak? if a man [so] say, surely he shall be swallowed up.

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

21 And now [men] see not the light as it gleameth, it is [hidden] in the skies. But the wind passeth by and cleareth them.

Now men don’t see the light which is bright in the skies, but the wind passes, and clears them.

22 From the north cometh gold; with God is terrible majesty.

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

23 The Almighty, we cannot find him out: excellent in power, and in judgment, and in abundance of justice, he doth not afflict.

We can’t reach the Almighty. He is exalted in power. In justice and great righteousness, he will not oppress.

24 Men do therefore fear him: he respecteth not any that are wise of heart.

Therefore men revere him. He doesn’t regard any who are wise of heart.”