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.1 37:7 Or / he fills all men with fear by his power |
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 earth2 37:13 Or to favor them 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?3 37:24 Or for he does not have regard for any who think they are wise. " |
