1“When I hear the thunder, my heart pounds.
It beats faster inside me.
2 Listen! Listen to the roar of his voice!
Listen to the thunder that comes from him!
3 He sends his lightning across the sky.
It reaches from one end of the earth to the other.
4 Next 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.
5 God’s voice thunders in wonderful ways.
We’ll never understand the great things he does.
6 He says to the snow, ‘Fall on the earth.’
He tells the rain, ‘Pour down your mighty waters.’
7 He stops everyone from working.
He wants them to see his work.
8 The animals go inside.
They remain in their dens.
9 The storm comes out of its storeroom in the heavens.
The cold comes from the driving winds.
10 The breath of God produces ice.
The shallow water freezes over.
11 He loads the clouds with moisture.
He scatters his lightning through them.
12 He directs the clouds to circle
above the surface of the whole earth.
They do everything he commands them to do.
13 He 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.
15 Do you know how he controls the clouds?
Do you understand how he makes his lightning flash?
16 Do you know how the clouds stay up in the sky?
Do you understand the wonders of the God who has perfect knowledge?
17 Even your clothes are too hot for you
when the land lies quiet under the south wind.
18 Can 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.
20 Should he be told that I want to speak?
Would anyone ask to be destroyed by him?
21 No one can look at the sun.
It’s too bright after the wind has swept the skies clean.
22 Out of the north, God comes in his shining glory.
He comes in all his wonderful majesty.
23 We 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.
24 That’s why they have respect for him.
He cares about all those who are wise.”