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37 “Yes, at this my heart trembles,
    and is moved out of its place.
Hear, oh, hear the noise of his voice,
    the sound that goes out of his mouth.
He sends it out under the whole sky,
    and his lightning to the ends of the earth.
After it a voice roars.
    He thunders with the voice of his majesty.
    He doesn’t hold back anything when his voice is heard.
God thunders marvelously with his voice.
    He does great things, which we can’t comprehend.
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 seals up the hand of every man,
    that all men whom he has made may know it.
Then the animals take cover,
    and remain in their dens.
Out of its room comes the storm,
    and cold out of the north.
10 By the breath of God, ice is given,
    and the width of the waters is frozen.
11 Yes, he loads the thick cloud with moisture.
    He spreads abroad the cloud of his lightning.
12 It is turned around by his guidance,
    that they may do whatever he commands them
    on the surface of the habitable world,
13 Whether it is for correction, or for his land,
    or for loving kindness, that he causes it to come.

14 “Listen to this, Job.
    Stand still, and consider the wondrous works of God.
15 Do you know how God controls them,
    and causes the lightning of his cloud to shine?
16 Do you know the workings of the clouds,
    the wondrous works of him who is perfect in knowledge?
17 You whose clothing is warm,
    when the earth is still by reason of the south wind?
18 Can you, with him, spread out the sky,
    which is strong as a cast metal mirror?
19 Teach us what we will tell him,
    for we can’t make our case by reason of darkness.
20 Will it be told him that I would speak?
    Or should a man wish that he were swallowed up?

21 Now men don’t see the light which is bright in the skies,
    but the wind passes, and clears them.
22 Out of the north comes golden splendor.
    With God is awesome majesty.
23 We can’t reach the Almighty.
    He is exalted in power.
    In justice and great righteousness, he will not oppress.
24 Therefore men revere him.
    He doesn’t regard any who 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.