Hiob 37 | New International Reader’s Version

1 ‘When I hear the thunder, my heart pounds. It beats faster inside me. 2 Listen! Listen to the roar of his voice! Listen to the thunder that comes from him! 3 He sends his lightning across the sky. It reaches from one end of the earth to the other. 4 Next comes the sound of his roaring thunder. He thunders with his majestic voice. When his voice fills the air, he doesn’t hold anything back. 5 God’s voice thunders in wonderful ways. We’ll never understand the great things he does. 6 He says to the snow, “Fall on the earth.” He tells the rain, “Pour down your mighty waters.” 7 He stops everyone from working. He wants them to see his work. 8 The animals go inside. They remain in their dens. 9 The storm comes out of its storeroom in the heavens. The cold comes from the driving winds. 10 The breath of God produces ice. The shallow water freezes over. 11 He loads the clouds with moisture. He scatters his lightning through them. 12 He directs the clouds to circle above the surface of the whole earth. They do everything he commands them to do. 13 He tells the clouds to punish people. Or he brings them to water his earth and show his love. 14 ‘Job, listen to me. Stop and think about the wonderful things God does. 15 Do you know how he controls the clouds? Do you understand how he makes his lightning flash? 16 Do you know how the clouds stay up in the sky? Do you understand the wonders of the God who has perfect knowledge? 17 Even your clothes are too hot for you when the land lies quiet under the south wind. 18 Can you help God spread out the skies? They are as hard as a mirror that’s made out of bronze. 19 ‘Job, tell us what we should say to God. We can’t prepare our case because our minds are dark. 20 Should he be told that I want to speak? Would anyone ask to be destroyed by him? 21 No one can look at the sun. It’s too bright after the wind has swept the skies clean. 22 Out of the north, God comes in his shining glory. He comes in all his wonderful majesty. 23 We can’t reach up to the Mighty One. He is lifted high because of his power. Everything he does is fair and right. So he doesn’t crush people. 24 That’s why they have respect for him. He cares about all those who are wise.’

English Standard Version

Elihu Proclaims God’s Majesty

1 “At this also my heart trembles and leaps out of its place. 2 Keep listening to the thunder of his voice and the rumbling that comes from his mouth. 3 Under the whole heaven he lets it go, and his lightning to the corners of the earth. 4 After it his voice roars; he thunders with his majestic voice, and he does not restrain the lightnings* when his voice is heard. 5 God thunders wondrously with his voice; he does great things that we cannot comprehend. 6 For to the snow he says, ‘Fall on the earth,’ likewise to the downpour, his mighty downpour. 7 He seals up the hand of every man, that all men whom he made may know it. 8 Then the beasts go into their lairs, and remain in their dens. 9 From its chamber comes the whirlwind, and cold from the scattering winds. 10 By the breath of God ice is given, and the broad waters are frozen fast. 11 He loads the thick cloud with moisture; the clouds scatter his lightning. 12 They turn around and around by his guidance, to accomplish all that he commands them on the face of the habitable world. 13 Whether for correction or for his land or for love, he causes it to happen. 14 “Hear this, O Job; stop and consider the wondrous works of God. 15 Do you know how God lays his command upon them and causes the lightning of his cloud to shine? 16 Do you know the balancings* of the clouds, the wondrous works of him who is perfect in knowledge, 17 you whose garments are hot when the earth is still because of the south wind? 18 Can you, like him, spread out the skies, hard as a cast metal mirror? 19 Teach us what we shall say to him; we cannot draw up our case because of darkness. 20 Shall it be told him that I would speak? Did a man ever wish that he would be swallowed up? 21 “And now no one looks on the light when it is bright in the skies, when the wind has passed and cleared them. 22 Out of the north comes golden splendor; God is clothed with awesome majesty. 23 The Almighty—we cannot find him; he is great in power; justice and abundant righteousness he will not violate. 24 Therefore men fear him; he does not regard any who are wise in their own conceit.”*

Hiob 37 | New International Reader’s Version English Standard Version

Elihu Proclaims God’s Majesty