Job

The book of Job, chapter 37, New English Translation and King James Version

Chapter 37 New English Translation

   1 At this also my heart pounds and leaps from its place.
   2 Listen carefully to the thunder of his voice, to the rumbling that proceeds from his mouth.
   3 Under the whole heaven he lets it go, even his lightning to the far corners of the earth.
   4 After that a voice roars; he thunders with an exalted voice, and he does not hold back his lightning bolts when his voice is heard.
   5 God thunders with his voice in marvelous ways; he does great things beyond our understanding.
   6 For to the snow he says, 'Fall to earth,' and to the torrential rains, 'Pour down.'
   7 He causes everyone to stop working, so that all people may know his work.
   8 The wild animals go to their lairs, and in their dens they remain.
   9 A tempest blows out from its chamber, icy cold from the driving winds.
   10 The breath of God produces ice, and the breadth of the waters freeze solid. 11 He loads the clouds with moisture; he scatters his lightning through the clouds.
   12 The clouds go round in circles, wheeling about according to his plans, to carry out all that he commands them over the face of the whole inhabited world.
   13 Whether it is for punishment for his land, or whether it is for mercy, he causes it to find its mark.
   14 "Pay attention to this, Job! Stand still and consider the wonders God works.
   15 Do you know how God commands them, how he makes lightning flash in his storm cloud?
   16 Do you know about the balancing of the clouds, that wondrous activity of him who is perfect in knowledge?
   17 You, whose garments are hot when the earth is still because of the south wind, 18 will you, with him, spread out the clouds, solid as a mirror of molten metal?
   19 Tell us what we should say to him. We cannot prepare a case because of the darkness.
   20 Should he be informed that I want to speak? If a man speaks, surely he would be swallowed up!
   21 But now, the sun cannot be looked at - it is bright in the skies - after a wind passed and swept the clouds away.
   22 From the north he comes in golden splendor; around God is awesome majesty.
   23 As for the Almighty, we cannot attain to him! He is great in power, but justice and abundant righteousness he does not oppress.
   24 Therefore people fear him, for he does not regard all the wise in heart."

King James Version

   1 At this also my heart trembleth, and is moved out of his place.
   2 Hear attentively the noise of his voice, and the sound that goeth out of his mouth.
   3 He directeth it under the whole heaven, and his lightning unto 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.
   5 God thundereth marvellously with his voice; great things doeth he, which we cannot comprehend.
   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.
   7 He sealeth up the hand of every man; that all men may know his work.
   8 Then the beasts go into dens, and remain in their places.
   9 Out of the south cometh the whirlwind: and cold out of the north.
   10 By the breath of God frost is given: and the breadth of the waters is straitened.
   11 Also by watering he wearieth the thick cloud: he scattereth his bright cloud:
   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.
   13 He causeth it to come, whether for correction, or for his land, or for mercy.
   14 Hearken unto this, O Job: stand still, and consider the wondrous works of God.
   15 Dost thou know when God disposed them, and caused the light of his cloud to shine?
   16 Dost thou know the balancings of the clouds, the wondrous works of him which is perfect in knowledge?
   17 How thy garments are warm, when he quieteth the earth by the south wind?
   18 Hast thou with him spread out the sky, which is strong, and as a molten looking glass?
   19 Teach us what we shall say unto him; for we cannot order our speech by reason of darkness.
   20 Shall it be told him that I speak? if a man speak, surely he shall be swallowed up.
   21 And now men see not the bright light which is in the clouds: but the wind passeth, and cleanseth them.
   22 Fair weather cometh out of the north: with God is terrible majesty.
   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.
   24 Men do therefore fear him: he respecteth not any that are wise of heart.