Study Desk

"At this my heart pounds^(a) and leaps from its place.

Listen!^(b) Listen to the roar of his voice,^(c) to the rumbling that comes from his mouth.^(d)

He unleashes his lightning^(e) beneath the whole heaven and sends it to the ends of the earth.^(f)

After that comes the sound of his roar; he thunders^(g) with his majestic voice.^(h) When his voice resounds, he holds nothing back.

God's voice thunders⁽ⁱ⁾ in marvelous ways;^(j) he does great things beyond our understanding.^(k)

He says to the snow,^(l) ‘Fall on the earth,' and to the rain shower, ‘Be a mighty downpour.'^(m)

So that everyone he has made may know his work,⁽ⁿ⁾ he stops all people from their labor.^[a](o)

The animals take cover;^(p) they remain in their dens.^(q)

The tempest comes out from its chamber,^(r) the cold from the driving winds.^(s)

The breath of God produces ice, and the broad waters become frozen.^(t)

He loads the clouds with moisture;^(u) he scatters his lightning^(v) through them.^(w)

At his direction they swirl around over the face of the whole earth to do whatever he commands them.^(x)

He brings the clouds to punish people,^(y) or to water his earth and show his love.^(z)

"Listen^(aa) to this, Job; stop and consider God's wonders.^(ab)

Do you know how God controls the clouds and makes his lightning^(ac) flash?^(ad)

Do you know how the clouds hang poised,^(ae) those wonders of him who has perfect knowledge?^(af)

You who swelter in your clothes when the land lies hushed under the south wind,^(ag)

can you join him in spreading out the skies,^(ah) hard as a mirror of cast bronze?^(ai)

"Tell us what we should say to him;^(aj) we cannot draw up our case^(ak) because of our darkness.^(al)

Should he be told that I want to speak? Would anyone ask to be swallowed up?

Now no one can look at the sun,^(am) bright as it is in the skies after the wind has swept them clean.

Out of the north he comes in golden splendor;^(an) God comes in awesome majesty.^(ao)

The Almighty is beyond our reach and exalted in power;^(ap) in his justice^(aq) and great righteousness, he does not oppress.^(ar)

Therefore, people revere him,^(as) for does he not have regard for all the wise^(at) in heart?^[b]"