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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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,

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

14 Hearken unto this, Job; stand still and discern 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?

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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

37 “At this my heart pounds(A)
    and leaps from its place.
Listen!(B) Listen to the roar of his voice,(C)
    to the rumbling that comes from his mouth.(D)
He unleashes his lightning(E) beneath the whole heaven
    and sends it to the ends of the earth.(F)
After that comes the sound of his roar;
    he thunders(G) with his majestic voice.(H)
When his voice resounds,
    he holds nothing back.
God’s voice thunders(I) in marvelous ways;(J)
    he does great things beyond our understanding.(K)
He says to the snow,(L) ‘Fall on the earth,’
    and to the rain shower, ‘Be a mighty downpour.’(M)
So that everyone he has made may know his work,(N)
    he stops all people from their labor.[a](O)
The animals take cover;(P)
    they remain in their dens.(Q)
The tempest comes out from its chamber,(R)
    the cold from the driving winds.(S)
10 The breath of God produces ice,
    and the broad waters become frozen.(T)
11 He loads the clouds with moisture;(U)
    he scatters his lightning(V) through them.(W)
12 At his direction they swirl around
    over the face of the whole earth
    to do whatever he commands them.(X)
13 He brings the clouds to punish people,(Y)
    or to water his earth and show his love.(Z)

14 “Listen(AA) to this, Job;
    stop and consider God’s wonders.(AB)
15 Do you know how God controls the clouds
    and makes his lightning(AC) flash?(AD)
16 Do you know how the clouds hang poised,(AE)
    those wonders of him who has perfect knowledge?(AF)
17 You who swelter in your clothes
    when the land lies hushed under the south wind,(AG)
18 can you join him in spreading out the skies,(AH)
    hard as a mirror of cast bronze?(AI)

19 “Tell us what we should say to him;(AJ)
    we cannot draw up our case(AK) because of our darkness.(AL)
20 Should he be told that I want to speak?
    Would anyone ask to be swallowed up?
21 Now no one can look at the sun,(AM)
    bright as it is in the skies
    after the wind has swept them clean.
22 Out of the north he comes in golden splendor;(AN)
    God comes in awesome majesty.(AO)
23 The Almighty is beyond our reach and exalted in power;(AP)
    in his justice(AQ) and great righteousness, he does not oppress.(AR)
24 Therefore, people revere him,(AS)
    for does he not have regard for all the wise(AT) in heart?[b]

Footnotes

  1. Job 37:7 Or work, / he fills all people with fear by his power
  2. Job 37:24 Or for he does not have regard for any who think they are wise.