Job 37

1Yea, at this my heart trembleth, And is moved out of its place.

1My heart pounds at this, and it leaps right out of its place in my chest.

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

2Listen! Listen to the thunder of God’s voice and the rumbling that comes from his mouth.

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

3He lets his lightning loose across the whole sky and sends it to the very edges of the earth.

4After it a voice roareth; He thundereth with the voice of his majesty; And he restraineth not the lightnings when his voice is heard.

4After the flash, his voice roars; he thunders with a majestic sound. He does not hold back the lightning when his voice is heard.

5God thundereth marvellously with his voice; Great things doeth he, which we cannot comprehend.

5God’s voice thunders in wonderful ways; he does great things that we cannot even understand.

6For he saith to the snow, Fall thou on the earth; Likewise to the shower of rain, And to the showers of his mighty rain.

6He tells the snow, 'Fall on the earth,' and he tells the gentle rain and the heavy downpour to do the same.

7He sealeth up the hand of every man, That all men whom he hath made may know it.

7He stops every person from working so that everyone he made can see what he is doing.

8Then the beasts go into coverts, And remain in their dens.

8The wild animals go into their hiding places and stay in their dens.

9Out of the chamberof the south cometh the storm, And cold out of the north.

9The storm comes out from its chamber in the south, and the cold winds come from the north.

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

10God’s breath produces ice, and the broad waters are frozen solid.

11Yea, he ladeth the thick cloud with moisture; He spreadeth abroad the cloud of his lightning:

11He fills the thick clouds with moisture and scatters his lightning through them.

12And it is turned round about by his guidance, That they may do whatsoever he commandeth them Upon the face of the habitable world,

12The clouds swirl around according to his plans, doing whatever he commands them over the face of the whole world.

13Whether it be for correction, or for his land, Or for lovingkindness, that he cause it to come.

13He brings the rain either to punish people, to water his earth, or to show his faithful love.

14Hearken unto this, O Job: Stand still, and consider the wondrous works of God.

14Listen to this, Job; stop and think about the wonderful things God does.

15Dost thou know how God layeth his charge upon them, And causeth the lightning of his cloud to shine?

15Do you know how God controls the clouds and makes the lightning flash from them?

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

16Do you understand how the clouds hang perfectly balanced in the air? These are the miracles of the one who knows everything.

17How thy garments are warm, When the earth is still by reason of the southwind?

17Do you know why your clothes feel too hot when the land is still under the heat of the south wind?

18Canst thou with him spread out the sky, Which is strong as a molten mirror?

18Can you help him spread out the sky and make it as hard as a mirror made of cast metal?

19Teach us what we shall say unto him; For we cannot set our speech in order by reason of darkness.

19Teach us what we should say to him; we cannot even state our case because we are in the dark.

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

20Should he be told that I want to speak? Would anyone ask to be swallowed up?

21And now men see not the light which is bright in the skies; But the wind passeth, and cleareth them.

21No one can look at the sun when it is bright in the skies after the wind has passed and cleared away the clouds.

22Out of the north cometh golden splendor: God hath upon him terrible majesty.

22A golden glow comes out of the north; God is surrounded by awesome majesty.

23Touchingthe Almighty, we cannot find him out: He is excellent in power; And in justice and plenteous righteousness he will not afflict.

23The Almighty is beyond our reach and great in power. In his justice and great righteousness, he does not mistreat anyone.

24Men do therefore fear him: He regardeth not any that are wise of heart.

24Therefore, people honor him with fear; he does not look at those who think they are wise.