Job 37

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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

Elihu Proclaims God’s Majesty

1“At this my heart also poundsand leaps from its place. 2Listen closely to the thunder of His voiceand the rumbling that comes from His mouth. 3He unleashes His lightning beneath the whole skyand sends it to the ends of the earth. 4Then there comes a roaring sound;He thunders with His majestic voice.He does not restrain the lightningwhen His voice resounds. 5God thunders wondrously with His voice;He does great things we cannot comprehend. 6For He says to the snow, ‘Fall on the earth,’and to the gentle rain, ‘Pour out a mighty downpour.’ 7He seals up the hand of every man,so that all men may know His work. 8The wild animals enter their lairs;they settle down in their dens. 9The tempest comes from its chamber,and the cold from the driving north winds. 10By the breath of God the ice is formedand the watery expanses are frozen. 11He loads the clouds with moisture;He scatters His lightning through them. 12They swirl about,whirling at His direction,accomplishing all that He commandsover the face of all the earth. 13Whether for punishment or for His land,He accomplishes this in His loving devotion.

14Listen to this, O Job;stand still and consider the wonders of God. 15Do you know how God dispatches the cloudsor makes the lightning flash? 16Do you understand how the clouds float,those wonders of Him who is perfect in knowledge? 17You whose clothes get hotwhen the land lies hushed under the south wind, 18can you, like Him, spread out the skies,as strong as a mirror of bronze?

19Teach us what we should say to Him;we cannot draw up our case because of our darkness. 20Should He be told that I want to speak?Would a man ask to be swallowed upfootnote a? 21Now no one can gaze at the sunwhen it is bright in the skiesafter the wind has swept them clean. 22Out of the north He comes in golden splendor;awesome majesty surrounds Him. 23The Almighty is beyond our reach;He is exalted in power!In His justice and great righteousnessHe does not oppress. 24Therefore, men fear Him,for He is not partial to the wise in heart.”