The thunder that makes my heart leap
1At this my heart shudders and leaps out of its place. 2Listen, listen to the rage of his voice, to the rumble that goes out of his mouth. 3He lets it loose under the whole sky, and his lightning to the ends of the earth. 4After it a voice roars; he thunders with his majestic voice, and he does not hold them back when his voice is heard. 5God thunders wonders with his voice; he does great things beyond our knowing. 6He says to the snow, “Fall on the earth,” and to the shower of rain, to the showers of his mighty rain. 7He seals up the hand of every man, so that everyone may know his work. 8The wild animal goes into its lair and stays inside its den. 9Out of its chamber comes the storm, and cold out of the scattering winds. 10By the breath of God ice is given, and the wide waters are locked hard. 11He loads the thick cloud with water; he scatters his lightning through it. 12And it turns round and round at his steering, to do all he commands them over the face of the world, on the earth. 13Whether for a rod, or for his land, or for kindness, he makes it find its mark.
Stand still and consider the wonders of God
14Listen to this, Job. Stand still and consider the wonders of God. 15Do you know how Eloah lays his charge on them and makes the light of his cloud shine out? 16Do you know how the clouds hang balanced, the wonders of one flawless in knowledge? 17You, whose clothes are hot when the earth lies still under the south wind — 18can you hammer out the sky with him, hard as a mirror of cast metal? 19Teach us what we should say to him. We cannot set out our case; it is too dark. 20Should he be told that I want to speak? If someone says a word, he will be swallowed up. 21And now they cannot look at the light, bright as it is in the clouds, once a wind has passed and swept them clean. 22Out of the north comes gold; around Eloah is terrible splendor. 23The Almighty — we cannot reach him. He is great in power, and justice and abundant righteousness he does not violate. 24That is why people fear him. He pays no regard to those who are wise in their own eyes.
