[1] “My heart pounds as I think of this. It trembles within me.
[2] Listen carefully to the thunder of God’s voice as it rolls from his mouth.
[3] It rolls across the heavens, and his lightning flashes in every direction.
[4] Then comes the roaring of the thunder— the tremendous voice of his majesty. He does not restrain it when he speaks.
[5] God’s voice is glorious in the thunder. We can’t even imagine the greatness of his power.
[6] “He directs the snow to fall on the earth and tells the rain to pour down.
[7] Then everyone stops working so they can watch his power.
[8] The wild animals take cover and stay inside their dens.
[9] The stormy wind comes from its chamber, and the driving winds bring the cold.
[10] God’s breath sends the ice, freezing wide expanses of water.
[11] He loads the clouds with moisture, and they flash with his lightning.
[12] The clouds churn about at his direction. They do whatever he commands throughout the earth.
[13] He makes these things happen either to punish people or to show his unfailing love.
[14] “Pay attention to this, Job. Stop and consider the wonderful miracles of God!
[15] Do you know how God controls the storm and causes the lightning to flash from his clouds?
[16] Do you understand how he moves the clouds with wonderful perfection and skill?
[17] When you are sweltering in your clothes and the south wind dies down and everything is still,
[18] he makes the skies reflect the heat like a bronze mirror. Can you do that?
[19] “So teach the rest of us what to say to God. We are too ignorant to make our own arguments.
[20] Should God be notified that I want to speak? Can people even speak when they are confused?
[21] We cannot look at the sun, for it shines brightly in the sky when the wind clears away the clouds.
[22] So also, golden splendor comes from the mountain of God. He is clothed in dazzling splendor.
[23] We cannot imagine the power of the Almighty; but even though he is just and righteous, he does not destroy us.
[24] No wonder people everywhere fear him. All who are wise show him reverence.”