| 1 | Indeed, [at His thunderings] my heart also trembles and leaps out of its place. |
| 2 | Hear, oh, hear the roar of His voice and the sound of rumbling that goes out of His mouth! |
| 3 | Under the whole heaven He lets it loose, and His lightning to the ends of the earth. |
| 4 | After it His voice roars; He thunders with the voice of His majesty, and He restrains not [His lightnings against His adversaries] when His voice is heard. |
| 5 | God thunders marvelously with His voice; He does great things which we cannot comprehend. |
| 6 | For He says to the snow, Fall on the earth; likewise He speaks to the showers and to the downpour of His mighty rains. |
| 7 | God seals up (stops, brings to a standstill by severe weather) the hand of every man [and now under His seal their hands are forced to inactivity], that all men whom He has made may know His doings (His sovereign power and their subjection to it). |
| 8 | Then the beasts go into dens and remain in their lairs. |
| 9 | Out of its chamber comes the whirlwind, and cold from the scattering winds. |
| 10 | By the breath of God ice is given, and the breadth of the waters is frozen over. |
| 11 | He loads the thick cloud with moisture; He scatters the cloud of His lightning. |
| 12 | And it is turned round about by His guidance, that they may do whatever He commands them upon the face of the habitable earth. |
| 13 | Whether it be for correction or for His earth [generally] or for His mercy
and
loving-kindness, He causes it to come. |
| 14 | Hear this, O Job; stand still and consider the wondrous works of God. |
| 15 | Do you know how God lays His command upon them and causes the lightning of His [storm] cloud to shine? |
| 16 | Do you know how the clouds are balanced [and poised in the heavens], the wonderful works of Him Who is perfect in knowledge? |
| 17 | [Or] why your garments are hot when He quiets the earth [in sultry summer] with the [oppressive] south wind? |
| 18 | Can you along with Him spread out the sky, [which is] strong as a molten mirror? |
| 19 | Tell us [Job] with what words of man we may address such a Being; we cannot state our case because we are in the dark [in the presence of the unsearchable God]. |
| 20 | So shall it be told Him that I wish to speak? If a man speaks, shall he be swallowed up? |
| 21 | And now men cannot look upon the light when it is bright in the skies, when the wind has passed and cleared them. |
| 22 | Golden brightness
and
splendor come out of the north; [if men can scarcely look upon it, how much less upon the] terrible splendor
and
majesty God has upon Himself! |
| 23 | Touching the Almighty, we cannot find Him out; He is excellent in power; and to justice and plenteous righteousness He does no violence [He will disregard no right]. |
| 24 | Men therefore [reverently] fear Him; He regards
and
respects not any who are wise in heart [in their own understanding and conceit]. |
Cross references:
-
Job 37:10 : Ps. 147:17, 18.
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Job 37:13 : Exod. 9:18, 23; I Sam. 12:18, 19.
-
Job 37:23 : I Tim. 6:16.
-
Job 37:24 : Matt. 10:28.
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