NET Bible

The Work and Wisdom of God

^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, or for his land, or 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 will 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.”