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Job

Explores the themes of suffering and faith through the story of Job, a man tested by losing everything.

Chapter 37

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1 At this also my heart trembleth, and is moved out of his place.

*My heart shakes and moves from its spot because of this.

2 Hear attentively the noise of his voice, and the sound that goeth out of his mouth.

*Listen carefully to the sound of his voice, and the noise that comes from his mouth.

3 He directeth it under the whole heaven, and his lightning unto the ends of the earth.

*He guides it across the entire sky, and his lightning to the farthest places on 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.

*After that, a loud voice booms: he thunders with the powerful sound of his greatness; and he won't stop them when his voice is heard.

5 God thundereth marvellously with his voice; great things doeth he, which we cannot comprehend.

*God wonderfully thunders with his voice; he does great things beyond our understanding.

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.

*He says to the snow, "Be on the earth," and also to the little and big rain, using his power.

7 He sealeth up the hand of every man; that all men may know his work.

*He closes the hands of everyone, so everyone can see what he does.

8 Then the beasts go into dens, and remain in their places.

*Then animals hide in their homes and stay there.

9 Out of the south cometh the whirlwind: and cold out of the north.

*From the south comes the whirlwind, and from the north comes the cold.

10 By the breath of God frost is given: and the breadth of the waters is straitened.

*By God's breath, frost appears: and the water's width is reduced.

11 Also by watering he wearieth the thick cloud: he scattereth his bright cloud:

*He makes the heavy cloud smaller by adding water, and he spreads out his shiny 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.

*He guides them with his advice, so they can follow his orders everywhere on Earth.

13 He causeth it to come, whether for correction, or for his land, or for mercy.

*He brings it, either for correction, his land, or mercy reasons.

14 Hearken unto this, O Job: stand still, and consider the wondrous works of God.

*Listen carefully, Job: stop for a moment and think about the amazing things God has done.

15 Dost thou know when God disposed them, and caused the light of his cloud to shine?

*Do you know when God arranged them and made the light from his cloud shine?

16 Dost thou know the balancings of the clouds, the wondrous works of him which is perfect in knowledge?

*Do you know how clouds are balanced, the amazing things created by the one who is completely knowledgeable?

17 How thy garments are warm, when he quieteth the earth by the south wind?

*How cozy your clothes are when he calms the earth using the gentle southern breeze?

18 Hast thou with him spread out the sky, which is strong, and as a molten looking glass?

*Have you stretched out the sky with him, making it powerful and like a solid mirror?

19 Teach us what we shall say unto him; for we cannot order our speech by reason of darkness.

*Help us know what to tell him, because we can't plan our words due to the darkness.

20 Shall it be told him that I speak? if a man speak, surely he shall be swallowed up.

*Should I tell him I'm speaking? If a person talks, they will definitely be destroyed.

21 And now men see not the bright light which is in the clouds: but the wind passeth, and cleanseth them.

*Men can't see the sunshine in the clouds now, but the wind comes and makes the clouds clean.

22 Fair weather cometh out of the north: with God is terrible majesty.

*Good times come from the north: God has great power.

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.

*When we try to reach the all-powerful God, it's hard to understand him. He is great in strength, fairness, and doesn't cause harm.

24 Men do therefore fear him: he respecteth not any that are wise of heart.

*Men, thus, are afraid of him; he doesn't care about anyone who is smart with their thoughts.

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