Job 37
1 “Yes, at this my heart trembles, and is moved out of its place.
At this my heart trembles, beating rapidly within me!
2 Hear, oh, hear the noise of his voice, the sound that goes out of his mouth.
Listen carefully to God's thunderous voice that rumbles as he speaks.
3 He sends it out under the whole sky, and his lightning to the ends of the earth.
He sends it across the heaven; his lightning flashes to the ends of the earth.
4 After it a voice roars. He thunders with the voice of his majesty. He does not hold back anything when his voice is heard.
Then comes the roar of thunder, his majestic voice holding nothing back when he speaks.
5 God thunders marvelously with his voice. He does great things, which we cannot comprehend.
God's thunderous voice is wonderful! We can't comprehend the great things he does!
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.
He tells the snow to fall and the rain to pour down on the earth.
7 He seals up the hand of every man, that all men whom he has made may know it.
By this he stops people working so that everyone can understand what he does.
8 Then the animals take cover, and remain in their dens.
Even the animals take shelter and remain in their dens.
9 Out of its room comes the storm, and cold out of the north.
The south wind blows in storms, while the north wind blows in cold weather.
10 By the breath of God, ice is given, and the width of the waters is frozen.
God's breath produces ice, freezing the surface of water solid.
11 Yes, he loads the thick cloud with moisture. He spreads abroad the cloud of his lightning.
He fills the clouds with moisture; he scatters his lightning from them.
12 It is turned around by his guidance, that they may do whatever he commands them on the surface of the habitable world,
They swirl around under his control; they move over all the earth as he commands.
13 whether it is for correction, or for his land, or for loving kindness, that he causes it to come.
He does this to accomplish his will, either to discipline or to show his goodness.
14 “Listen to this, Job. Stand still, and consider the wondrous works of God.
Listen to this, Job! Stop for a moment and consider the wonderful things God does.
15 Do you know how God controls them, and causes the lightning of his cloud to shine?
Do you know how God controls the clouds, or makes his lightning flash from them?
16 Do you know the workings of the clouds, the wondrous works of him who is perfect in knowledge?
Do you know how clouds float in the sky—the wonderful work of him who knows everything.
17 You whose clothing is warm when the earth is still by reason of the south wind?
You know how your clothes drip with sweat when the south wind brings air that is hot and heavy.
18 Can you, with him, spread out the sky, which is strong as a cast metal mirror?
Can you hammer out the sky so it becomes like a molten mirror, as he does?
19 Teach us what we will tell him, for we cannot make our case by reason of darkness.
So why don't you teach us what to tell God? We cannot make our case because we are in the dark!
20 Will it be told him that I would speak? Or should a man wish that he were swallowed up?
Should God be told that I want to speak? Anyone who wanted to would be destroyed!
21 Now men do not see the light which is bright in the skies, but the wind passes, and clears them.
After all, we can't look at the sun when it blazes brightly in the sky, after the wind has cleared away the clouds.
22 Out of the north comes golden splendor. With God is awesome majesty.
Out of the north God comes shining like gold, surrounded in awesome majesty.
23 We cannot reach the Almighty. He is exalted in power. In justice and great righteousness, he will not oppress.
We cannot approach the Almighty for he is far beyond us in power and justice, and doing right.
24 Therefore men revere him. He does not regard any who are wise of heart.”
He does not act like a tyrant—no wonder people are in awe of him, though he does not value those who think they're wise.”
