Job 37

Chapter 37

1 “My heart pounds as I think of this.
It trembles within me.2 Listen carefully to the thunder of God’s voice
as it rolls from his mouth.3 It rolls across the heavens,
and his lightning flashes in every direction.4 Then comes the roaring of the thunder—
the tremendous voice of his majesty.
He does not restrain it when he speaks.5 God’s voice is glorious in the thunder.
We can’t even imagine the greatness of his power.6 “He directs the snow to fall on the earth
and tells the rain to pour down.7 Then everyone stops working
so they can watch his power.8 The wild animals take cover
and stay inside their dens.9 The stormy wind comes from its chamber,
and the driving winds bring the cold.10 God’s breath sends the ice,
freezing wide expanses of water.11 He loads the clouds with moisture,
and they flash with his lightning.12 The clouds churn about at his direction.
They do whatever he commands throughout the earth.13 He makes these things happen either to punish people
or to show his unfailing love.14 “Pay attention to this, Job.
Stop and consider the wonderful miracles of God!15 Do you know how God controls the storm
and causes the lightning to flash from his clouds?16 Do you understand how he moves the clouds
with wonderful perfection and skill?17 When you are sweltering in your clothes
and the south wind dies down and everything is still,18 he makes the skies reflect the heat like a bronze mirror.
Can you do that?19 “So teach the rest of us what to say to God.
We are too ignorant to make our own arguments.20 Should God be notified that I want to speak?
Can people even speak when they are confused?t21 We cannot look at the sun,
for it shines brightly in the sky
when the wind clears away the clouds.22 So also, golden splendor comes from the mountain of God.t
He is clothed in dazzling splendor.23 We cannot imagine the power of the Almighty;
but even though he is just and righteous,
he does not destroy us.24 No wonder people everywhere fear him.
All who are wise show him reverence.”

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.