Job 37

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

1When I hear this, my heart pounds. It jumps inside my chest.

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

2Listen carefully to the thunder of God's voice. Listen to the rumble that comes from his mouth.

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

3He sends his lightning out under the whole sky. It flashes to the far ends of the earth.

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

4Then a roar follows behind it. God thunders with his mighty voice. He lets the lightning go when his voice sounds.

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

5God's thunder is wonderful to hear. He does great things that we cannot understand.

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

6He says to the snow, "Fall on the ground." He tells the light rain and the heavy rain to pour down.

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

7He makes every person stop working. Then everyone can see the work that God is doing.

Note"He sealeth up the hand of every man" means God makes people stop their work. In a big storm, no one can work outside.

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

8The wild animals go into their caves. They stay inside their homes.

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

9The storm wind comes out from its hiding place. The cold comes from the north.

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

10God breathes, and ice appears. Wide stretches of water turn hard and frozen.

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

11He fills the thick clouds with water. He spreads his lightning all through them.

12And 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.

12The clouds turn and swirl wherever he tells them. They do everything he says, all over the earth.

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

13He sends them to punish people, or to water his land, or to show his kindness.

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

14Listen to this, Job. Stand still. Think about the wonderful things God does.

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

15Do you know how God tells the clouds what to do? Do you know how he makes the lightning shine?

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

16Do you know how the clouds float in the sky? God knows everything, and these are his wonders.

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

17Your clothes get hot when the south wind blows. The whole land lies still and quiet.

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

18Can you spread out the sky the way God does? It is strong, like a mirror of polished metal.

NoteA "looking glass" is a mirror. Long ago mirrors were made of metal that was melted, poured, and then polished until it was shiny.

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

19Teach us what we should say to God. We cannot find the words. We are in the dark.

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

20Should someone tell God that I want to speak? No man would ask to be swallowed up.

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

21No one can stare at the bright sun in the sky. The wind sweeps the clouds away and leaves it clear.

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

22God comes from the north, shining like gold. Great and awesome brightness is all around him.

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

23We cannot reach the Almighty, the strongest one of all. He is great in power. He is fair and right, and he does not treat anyone unfairly.

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

24That is why people honor him and hold him in awe. He is not impressed by people who think they are wise.

Note"He respecteth not any that are wise of heart" does not mean God is rude to wise people. It means he does not treat them as more important than anyone else.