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37 ¶ At this also my heart trembles and is moved out of its place.

Hear attentively his terrible voice and the word that goes out of his mouth.

He shall place it straight under the whole of the heavens, and his light shall extend unto the ends of the earth.

After it shall the sound roar; his valiant voice shall thunder; and he will not stay them even when his voice is heard.

God shall thunder marvelously with his voice; he does great things, which we cannot comprehend.

¶ For he saith to the snow, Be thou on the earth; rain after rain, and rain after rain in his strength.

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

Then the beast shall go into its lair and inhabit its dwelling.

Out of the south comes the whirlwind and cold out of the north wind.

10 By the breath of God ice is given; and the broad waters are constrained.

11 In addition to this, with clarity he wearies the thick clouds; and he scatters them with his light.

12 And they are turned round about by his counsels; that they may do whatever he commands them upon the face of the world in the earth.

13 On some occasions for correction, on others for his land, on others for mercy he causes them to appear.

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

15 Dost thou know when God disposed them and caused the light of his cloud to shine?

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

17 How thy garments are warm, when he quiets the earth by the south wind?

18 Hast thou with him spread out the sky, which is strong and as a molten looking glass?

19 Teach us what we should say unto him; for we cannot order our speech by reason of darkness.

20 Shall it be told him when I speak? When someone is swallowed up shall it be told him?

21 ¶ Also, sometimes the clear light which is in the heavens is not seen, but the wind passes and cleanses them.

22 Fair weather comes out of the north; with God is terrible majesty.

23 Touching the Almighty, we cannot find him out; he is excellent in power and in judgment, and in plenty of righteousness he will not afflict.

24 Men, therefore, shall fear him; all the crafty of heart shall not see him.

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.