Job, 37

1. At this also my heart trembleth, and is moved out of his place.

1. This is why my heart pounds and leaps from its place.

2. Hear attentively the noise of his voice, and the sound [that] goeth out of his mouth.

2. Listen to the thunder of his voice as it comes rumbling from his mouth.

3. He directeth it under the whole heaven, and his lightning unto the ends of the earth.

3. Under the heavens, he hurls his lightning, sending it to the ends of the earth.

4. After it a voice roareth: he thundereth with the voice of his excellency; and he will not stay them when his voice is heard.

4. Then comes the sound of God's roar- the majestic peal of his thunder. He does not check his thunderbolts until his voice has fully resounded.

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

5. God thunders and his voice works marvels; he does great things we cannot perceive.

6. For he saith to the snow, Be thou [on] the earth; likewise to the small rain, and to the great rain of his strength.

6. He says to the snow, "Fall on the earth"; and to the rainshower, "Be a strong downpour."

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

7. So he keeps people under cover to let them acknowledge his work.

8. Then the beasts go into dens, and remain in their places.

8. Wild beasts go back into their lairs and remain quietly in their dens.

9. Out of the south cometh the whirlwind: and cold out of the north.

9. The storm comes out from its chamber, and the cold from the driving winds.

10. By the breath of God frost is given: and the breadth of the waters is straitened.

10. The breath of God forms ice, and the broad waters become frozen.

11. Also by watering he wearieth the thick cloud: he scattereth his bright cloud:

11. With thunderbolts he loads the clouds, and through them scatters his lightning.

12. And it is turned round about by his counsels: that they may do whatsoever he commandeth them upon the face of the world in the earth.

12. At his direction they do their rounds, upon the face of the habitable world.

13. He causeth it to come, whether for correction, or for his land, or for mercy.

13. He commands nature to punish men, to water his land or to show his mercy.

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

14. Listen to this, O Job: pause and consider God's marvels.

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

15. Do you know how he controls the clouds, how he makes his lightning flash?

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

16. Do you know how the clouds hang poised, all these wonders wrought by his perfect knowledge?

17. How thy garments [are] warm, when he quieteth the earth by the south [wind]?

17. You who swelter in your clothes when the earth lies still under the south wind,

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

18. can you, like him, spread out the skies, hard as a mirror of molten bronze?

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

19. Teach us then what we shall say to him; we cannot draw up our case because of darkness.

20. Shall it be told him that I speak? if a man speak, surely he shall be swallowed up.

20. Does it take an angel to bring this to God's attention?

21. And now [men] see not the bright light which [is] in the clouds: but the wind passeth, and cleanseth them.

21. A while ago we could not see the light and the clouds darkened the sky, but the storm has just cast them out.

22. Fair weather cometh out of the north: with God [is] terrible majesty.

22. A blaze comes from the north, a dreadful glory around God.

23. [Touching] the Almighty, we cannot find him out: [he is] excellent in power, and in judgment, and in plenty of justice: he will not afflict.

23. The Almighty is beyond our reach; exalted in power, great in judgment; the Master of justice oppresses no one.

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

24. Therefore, people revere him; wise men are nothing in his sight.