Job 37

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

JOB 37

Elihu Continues

I Am Frightened

1 I am frightened
and tremble all over,

2 when I hear the roaring voice
of God in the thunder,

3 and when I see his lightning
flash across the sky.

4 God's majestic voice
thunders his commands, t

5 creating miracles too marvelous
for us to understand.

6 Snow and heavy rainstorms

7 make us stop and think
about God's power, t

8 and they force animals
to seek shelter.

9 The windstorms of winter strike,

10 and the breath of God
freezes streams and rivers.

11 Rain clouds filled with lightning
appear at God's command,

12 traveling across the sky

13 to release their cargo—
sometimes as punishment for sin,
sometimes as kindness.

Consider Carefully

14 Job, consider carefully
the many wonders of God.

15 Can you explain why lightning
flashes at the orders

16 of God who knows all things?
Or how he hangs the clouds
in empty space?

17 You almost melt in the heat
of fierce desert winds
when the sky is like brass.

18 God can hammer out the clouds
in spite of the oppressive heat,
but can you?

19 Tell us what to say to God!
Our minds are in the dark,
and we don't know how
to argue our case.

20 Should I risk my life
by telling God
that I want to speak?

21 No one can stare at the sun
after a breeze has blown
the clouds from the sky.

22 Yet the glorious splendor
of God All-Powerful
is brighter by far.

23 God cannot be seen—
but his power is great,
and he is always fair.

24 And so we humans fear God,
because he shows no respect
for those who are proud
and think they know so much.