Resource icon

BibleStudyIt Job 37

  • Job Chapter 37

Job 37's Chapter Tabs
Scroll past these tabs to continue or click on one of them to navigate out of this webpage.

Proxy widget

Submit Art

Threads
0
Messages
0
Threads
0
Messages
0
None

Submit Notes

Threads
0
Messages
0
Threads
0
Messages
0
None

Elihu continues to speak

37 ‘When I hear the noise of a storm like that,
I shake with fear.
2 Listen carefully to the sound of God's voice,
when he speaks like thunder.
3 He sends lightning across the whole sky.
Its light reaches everywhere on the earth.
4 After the lightning comes the sound of his voice.
He roars like the great sound of thunder.
When he speaks like that,
the storm never stops.
5 When God's voice speaks,
he causes wonderful things to happen.
He does great things that we cannot understand.
6 He tells the snow to fall to the earth.
He tells the rain to pour down
and make the ground wet.
7 He does that to show people what he can do.
He causes everyone to stop their own work.
8 The wild animals have to hide in a safe place.
They have to stay in their homes.
9 The strong wind of a storm comes from the place where it starts.
Cold winds blow strongly from the north.
10 The cold wind is like God's breath.
He causes ice to cover the rivers and the lakes.
11 He fills the clouds with lots of water.
He sends the lightning through the clouds.
12 The clouds move around across the whole earth.
They go wherever God sends them.
He tells them what they must do.
13 He may send a storm as punishment for his land.
Or he may send it to show his love for his people.

14 Listen carefully to what I am telling you, Job.
Stop and think about the wonderful things that God does.
15 Do you know how God commands the storms?
Do you know how he sends the bright lightning from the clouds?
16 Can you explain how the clouds hang in the sky?
God knows everything perfectly
and he does these wonderful things.
17 When the hot wind blows from the south,
nothing moves on the earth.
Your body is too hot in the clothes that you wear.
18 God puts the clouds across the whole sky,
like a metal mirror that shines brightly.
Can you also do that? No!

19 Tell us, Job, what things we should say to God.
We cannot argue with him,
because our minds are in a dark place.
20 Should I tell God that I want to speak to him?
That would be the end of me!

21 Now the wind has blown all the clouds away.
The sun shines brightly in the sky.
It is too bright for us to look at.
22 God comes with his bright glory from the north!
His glory is all around him.
It makes us afraid.
23 Almighty God is so great that we cannot come near to him.
He is very powerful.
But he always does what is right and fair.
He is not cruel to people.
24 So people respect God with fear.
He does not listen to those who think that they are wise.’

37 “The thunder and lightning frighten me;
my heart pounds in my chest.
2 Listen to God’s thundering voice!
Listen to the sound coming from his mouth.
3 He sends his lightning to flash across the whole sky.
It lights up the earth from one end to the other.
4 After the flashes of lightning you can hear his roaring voice.
He thunders with his wonderful voice!
And while his voice thunders, the lightning flashes continue.
5 God’s thundering voice is amazing!
He does great things that we cannot understand.
6 He says to the snow,
‘Fall on the earth.’
And he says to the rain,
‘Pour down on the earth.’
7 God does this to stop everyone’s work
and to show the people he made what he can do.
8 The animals run into their dens and stay there.
9 Whirlwinds come from the south.
The cold winds come from the north.
10 God’s breath makes ice
and freezes even large bodies of water.
11 He fills the clouds with water
and scatters his lightning through them.
12 He orders the clouds to be blown all around the earth.
The clouds do whatever he commands.
13 He causes the clouds to punish people with floods
or to water his earth and show his love.

14 “Job, stop for a minute and listen.
Think about the wonderful things God does.
15 Do you know how God controls the clouds?
Do you know how he makes his lightning flash?
16 Do you know how the clouds hang in the sky?
This is just one of the amazing works of the one who knows everything.
17 All you know is that you sweat, your clothes stick to you,
and all is still and quiet when the heat wave comes from the south.
18 Can you help God spread out the sky
and make it shine like polished brass?

19 “Job, tell us what we should say to God!
We cannot think of what to say because of our ignorance. [ a ]
20 I would not tell God that I wanted to talk to him.
That would be like asking to be destroyed.
21 A person cannot look at the sun.
It is too bright as it shines in the sky after the wind blows the clouds away.
22 In the same way God’s golden glory shines from the Holy Mountain. [ b ]
He is surrounded by the brightest light.
23 We have seen that God All-Powerful really is all powerful!
But he is just and never treats anyone unfairly. [ c ]
24 That is why people fear and respect him.
He shows no respect for those who think they are wise.”

Footnotes

  1. Job 37:19 We cannot … ignorance Literally, “We cannot arrange our thoughts because of the darkness.”
  2. Job 37:22 Holy Mountain Or “the north” or “Zaphon.”
  3. Job 37:23 But he … unfairly Or “He does not answer us when we try to sue him for justice.”

37 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.

Elihu Says God Has Authority Over the Storm

37 “At this also my heart trembles,
And leaps from its place.
2 Listen closely to the ( A ) thunder of His voice,
And the rumbling that goes out from His mouth.
3 Under the whole heaven He lets it loose,
And His [ a ] lightning travels to the ( B ) ends of the earth.
4 After it, a voice roars;
He thunders with His majestic voice,
And He does not restrain [ b ] the lightning when His voice is heard.
5 God ( C ) thunders wondrously with His voice,
Doing ( D ) great things which we do not comprehend.
6 For to ( E ) the snow He says, ‘Fall on the earth,’
And to the [ c ] ( F ) downpour and the rain, ‘Be strong.’
7 He ( G ) seals the hand of every person,
So that ( H ) all people may know His work.
8 Then the animal goes into its ( I ) lair
And remains in its [ d ] den.
9 From the [ e ] ( J ) south comes the storm,
And from the north wind the cold.
10 From the breath of God ( K ) ice is made,
And the expanse of the waters is frozen.
11 He also ( L ) loads the clouds with moisture;
He ( M ) disperses ( N ) the cloud of His [ f ] lightning.
12 It changes direction, turning around by His guidance,
That [ g ] it may do whatever He ( O ) commands [ h ] it
On the ( P ) face of the inhabited earth.
13 Whether for [ i ] ( Q ) correction, or for ( R ) His earth,
Or for ( S ) goodness, He causes it to [ j ] happen.

14 “Listen to this, Job;
Stand and consider the wonders of God.
15 Do you know how God establishes them,
And makes the [ k ] lightning of His clouds to shine?
16 Do you know about the hovering of the clouds,
The ( T ) wonders of One who is ( U ) perfect in knowledge,
17 You whose garments are hot
When the land is still because of the south wind?
18 Can you, with Him, ( V ) spread out the skies,
Strong as a cast metal mirror?
19 Teach us what we are to say to Him;
We ( W ) cannot present our case because of darkness.
20 Shall it be told Him that I would speak?
[ l ] Or should a man say that he would be swallowed up?

21 “Now people do not see the light which is bright in the skies;
But the wind has passed and cleared them.
22 From the north comes golden splendor ;
Around God is awesome majesty.
23 The Almighty— ( X ) we cannot find Him;
He is ( Y ) exalted in power
And ( Z ) He will not violate ( AA ) justice and abundant righteousness.
24 Therefore people ( AB ) fear Him;
He does not ( AC ) regard any who are wise of heart.”

Footnotes

  1. Job 37:3 Lit light
  2. Job 37:4 Lit them
  3. Job 37:6 Lit shower of rain and shower of rains
  4. Job 37:8 Lit dens
  5. Job 37:9 Lit chamber
  6. Job 37:11 Lit light
  7. Job 37:12 Lit they
  8. Job 37:12 Lit them
  9. Job 37:13 Lit the rod
  10. Job 37:13 Lit be found
  11. Job 37:15 Lit light
  12. Job 37:20 Or If a man speak, surely he shall be swallowed up

37 “At this my heart pounds ( A )
and leaps from its place.
2 Listen! ( B ) Listen to the roar of his voice, ( C )
to the rumbling that comes from his mouth. ( D )
3 He unleashes his lightning ( E ) beneath the whole heaven
and sends it to the ends of the earth. ( F )
4 After that comes the sound of his roar;
he thunders ( G ) with his majestic voice. ( H )
When his voice resounds,
he holds nothing back.
5 God’s voice thunders ( I ) in marvelous ways; ( J )
he does great things beyond our understanding. ( K )
6 He says to the snow, ( L ) ‘Fall on the earth,’
and to the rain shower, ‘Be a mighty downpour.’ ( M )
7 So that everyone he has made may know his work, ( N )
he stops all people from their labor. [ a ] ( O )
8 The animals take cover; ( P )
they remain in their dens. ( Q )
9 The tempest comes out from its chamber, ( R )
the cold from the driving winds. ( S )
10 The breath of God produces ice,
and the broad waters become frozen. ( T )
11 He loads the clouds with moisture; ( U )
he scatters his lightning ( V ) through them. ( W )
12 At his direction they swirl around
over the face of the whole earth
to do whatever he commands them. ( X )
13 He brings the clouds to punish people, ( Y )
or to water his earth and show his love. ( Z )

14 “Listen ( AA ) to this, Job;
stop and consider God’s wonders. ( AB )
15 Do you know how God controls the clouds
and makes his lightning ( AC ) flash? ( AD )
16 Do you know how the clouds hang poised, ( AE )
those wonders of him who has perfect knowledge? ( AF )
17 You who swelter in your clothes
when the land lies hushed under the south wind, ( AG )
18 can you join him in spreading out the skies, ( AH )
hard as a mirror of cast bronze? ( AI )

19 “Tell us what we should say to him; ( AJ )
we cannot draw up our case ( AK ) because of our darkness. ( AL )
20 Should he be told that I want to speak?
Would anyone ask to be swallowed up?
21 Now no one can look at the sun, ( AM )
bright as it is in the skies
after the wind has swept them clean.
22 Out of the north he comes in golden splendor; ( AN )
God comes in awesome majesty. ( AO )
23 The Almighty is beyond our reach and exalted in power; ( AP )
in his justice ( AQ ) and great righteousness, he does not oppress. ( AR )
24 Therefore, people revere him, ( AS )
for does he not have regard for all the wise ( AT ) in heart? [ b ]

Footnotes

  1. Job 37:7 Or work, / he fills all people with fear by his power
  2. Job 37:24 Or for he does not have regard for any who think they are wise.