NETtext - Job - 37

37:1  At this also my heart pounds and leaps from its place.

37:2  Listen carefully to the thunder of his voice, to the rumbling that proceeds from his mouth.

37:3  Under the whole heaven he lets it go, even his lightning to the far corners of the earth.

37:4  After that a voice roars; he thunders with an exalted voice, and he does not hold back his lightning bolts when his voice is heard.

37:5  God thunders with his voice in marvelous ways; he does great things beyond our understanding.

37:6  For to the snow he says, 'Fall to earth,' and to the torrential rains, 'Pour down.'

37:7  He causes everyone to stop working, so that all people may know his work.

37:8  The wild animals go to their lairs, and in their dens they remain.

37:9  A tempest blows out from its chamber, icy cold from the driving winds.

37:10  The breath of God produces ice, and the breadth of the waters freeze solid.

37:11  He loads the clouds with moisture; he scatters his lightning through the clouds.

37:12  The clouds go round in circles, wheeling about according to his plans, to carry out all that he commands them over the face of the whole inhabited world.

37:13  Whether it is for punishment for his land, or whether it is for mercy, he causes it to find its mark.

37:14  "Pay attention to this, Job! Stand still and consider the wonders God works.

37:15  Do you know how God commands them, how he makes lightning flash in his storm cloud?

37:16  Do you know about the balancing of the clouds, that wondrous activity of him who is perfect in knowledge?

37:17  You, whose garments are hot when the earth is still because of the south wind,

37:18  will you, with him, spread out the clouds, solid as a mirror of molten metal?

37:19  Tell us what we should say to him. We cannot prepare a case because of the darkness.

37:20  Should he be informed that I want to speak? If a man speaks, surely he would be swallowed up!

37:21  But now, the sun cannot be looked at - it is bright in the skies - after a wind passed and swept the clouds away.

37:22  From the north he comes in golden splendor; around God is awesome majesty.

37:23  As for the Almighty, we cannot attain to him! He is great in power, but justice and abundant righteousness he does not oppress.

37:24  Therefore people fear him, for he does not regard all the wise in heart."