37:1 At this my heart pounds and leaps from its place.
37:2 Listen! Listen to the roar of his voice, to the rumbling that comes from his mouth.
37:3 He unleashes his lightning beneath the whole heaven and sends it to the ends of the earth.
37:4 After that comes the sound of his roar he thunders with his majestic voice. When his voice resounds, he holds nothing back.
37:5 God’s voice thunders in marvellous ways he does great things beyond our understanding.
37:6 He says to the snow, `Fall on the earth,’ and to the rain shower, `Be a mighty downpour.’
37:7 So that all men he has made may know his work, he stops every man from his labour. [Or he fills all men with fear by his power]
37:8 The animals take cover they remain in their dens.
37:9 The tempest comes out from its chamber, the cold from the driving winds.
37:10 The breath of God produces ice, and the broad waters become frozen.
37:11 He loads the clouds with moisture he scatters his lightning through them.
37:12 At his direction they swirl around over the face of the whole earth to do whatever he commands them.
37:13 He brings the clouds to punish men, or to water his earth [Or to favour them] and show his love.
37:14 Listen to this, Job stop and consider God’s wonders.
37:15 Do you know how God controls the clouds and makes his lightning flash?
37:16 Do you know how the clouds hang poised, those wonders of him who is perfect in knowledge?
37:17 You who swelter in your clothes when the land lies hushed under the south wind,
37:18 can you join him in spreading out the skies, hard as a mirror of cast bronze?
37:19 Tell us what we should say to him we cannot draw up our case because of our darkness.
37:20 Should he be told that I want to speak? Would any man ask to be swallowed up?
37:21 Now no-one can look at the sun, bright as it is in the skies after the wind has swept them clean.
37:22 Out of the north he comes in golden splendour God comes in awesome majesty.
37:23 The Almighty is beyond our reach and exalted in power in his justice and great righteousness, he does not oppress.
37:24 Therefore, men revere him, for does he not have regard for all the wise in heart? [Or for he does not have regard for any who think they are wise.]