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 everyone he has made may know his work, he stops all people from their labor. [^1]

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 people, 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 has perfect 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 anyone 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, people revere him, for does he not have regard for all the wise in heart? ""

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

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

3 He directs it under the whole heaven, and his lightning to the ends of the earth.

4 After it a voice roars: he thunders with the voice of his excellency; and he will not stay them when his voice is heard.

5 God thunders marvelously with his voice; great things does he, which we cannot comprehend.

6 For he said to the snow, Be you on the earth; likewise to the small rain, and to the great rain of his strength.

7 He seals 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 comes 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 wearies the thick cloud: he scatters his bright cloud:

12 And it is turned round about by his counsels: that they may do whatever he commands them on the face of the world in the earth.

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

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

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

16 Do you know the balancing of the clouds, the wondrous works of him which is perfect in knowledge?

17 How your garments are warm, when he quiets the earth by the south wind?

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

19 Teach us what we shall say to 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 passes, and cleans them.

22 Fair weather comes 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 respects not any that are wise of heart.