Job 37:1-24
37 “At this my heart poundsAnd leaps from its place.
2 Listen carefully to the rumbling of his voiceAnd the thunder that comes from his mouth.
3 He unleashes it under the entire heavensAnd sends his lightning+ to the ends of the earth.
4 After that is a roaring sound;He thunders with a majestic voice,+And he does not hold it back when his voice is heard.
5 God thunders with his voice+ in a wonderful way;He does great things that are beyond our understanding.+
6 For he says to the snow, ‘Fall to the earth,’+
And to the downpour of rain, ‘Pour down mightily.’+
7 God puts a stop to all human activity*So that every mortal man will know His work.
8 The wild animals go into their densAnd remain in their lairs.
9 The storm wind blows from its chamber,+And the cold comes from the north winds.+
10 By the breath of God, the ice is produced,+And the broad waters are frozen solid.+
11 Yes, he weighs down the clouds with moisture;He scatters his lightning+ in the clouds;
12 They swirl around where he directs them;They carry out whatever he commands+ on the surface of the inhabited earth.*
13 Whether it is for punishment*+ or for the sake of the landOr for loyal love, he causes it to happen.+
14 Listen to this, Job;Stop and consider carefully the wonderful works of God.+
15 Do you know how God controls* the cloudsAnd how he causes the lightning to flash from his cloud?
16 Do you know how the clouds float?+
These are the wonderful works of the One perfect in knowledge.+
17 Why does your clothing become hotWhen the earth is still because of the south wind?+
18 Can you, with him, spread out* the skies+As solid as a metal mirror?
19 Tell us what we should say to him;We cannot answer because we are in the dark.
20 Should he be told that I want to speak?
Or has anyone said something that should be communicated to him?+
21 They cannot even see the light,*Though it is bright in the sky,Until a wind passes by and clears away the clouds.
22 Out of the north comes golden splendor;God’s majesty+ is awe-inspiring.
23 Understanding the Almighty is beyond our reach;+He is great in power,+And he never violates his justice+ and abundant righteousness.+
24 Therefore, people should fear him.+
For he does not favor any who think that they are wise.”*+
Footnotes
^ Lit., “puts a seal on the hand of every human.”
^ Or “of the productive land of the earth.”
^ Lit., “a rod.”
^ Or “commands.”
^ Or “beat out.”
^ That is, of the sun.
^ Lit., “who are wise of heart.”