Job 37

1“When I hear the thunder, my heart pounds. It beats faster inside me.

2Listen! Listen to the roar of his voice! Listen to the thunder that comes from him!

3He sends his lightning across the sky. It reaches from one end of the earth to the other.

4Next comes the sound of his roaring thunder. He thunders with his majestic voice. When his voice fills the air, he doesn’t hold anything back.

5God’s voice thunders in wonderful ways. We’ll never understand the great things he does.

6He says to the snow, ‘Fall on the earth.’ He tells the rain, ‘Pour down your mighty waters.’

7He stops everyone from working. He wants them to see his work.

8The animals go inside. They remain in their dens.

9The storm comes out of its storeroom in the heavens. The cold comes from the driving winds.

10The breath of God produces ice. The shallow water freezes over.

11He loads the clouds with moisture. He scatters his lightning through them.

12He directs the clouds to circle above the surface of the whole earth. They do everything he commands them to do.

13He tells the clouds to punish people. Or he brings them to water his earth and show his love.

14“Job, listen to me. Stop and think about the wonderful things God does.

15Do you know how he controls the clouds? Do you understand how he makes his lightning flash?

16Do you know how the clouds stay up in the sky? Do you understand the wonders of the God who has perfect knowledge?

17Even your clothes are too hot for you when the land lies quiet under the south wind.

18Can you help God spread out the skies? They are as hard as a mirror that’s made out of bronze.

19“Job, tell us what we should say to God. We can’t prepare our case because our minds are dark.

20Should he be told that I want to speak? Would anyone ask to be destroyed by him?

21No one can look at the sun. It’s too bright after the wind has swept the skies clean.

22Out of the north, God comes in his shining glory. He comes in all his wonderful majesty.

23We can’t reach up to the Mighty One. He is lifted high because of his power. Everything he does is fair and right. So he doesn’t crush people. 24That’s why they have respect for him. He cares about all those who are wise.”