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