Elihu Speaks of God’s Voice

1“At this also my heart trembles,

And leaps from its place.

2[†]Listen closely to the thunder of His voice,

And the rumbling that goes out from His mouth.

3Under the whole heaven He lets it loose,

And His [†]lightning to the ends of the earth.

4After it, a voice roars;

He thunders with His majestic voice,

And He does not restrain [†]the lightnings when His voice is heard.

5God thunders with His voice marvelously,

Doing great things which we do not know.

6For to the snow He says, ‘Fall on the earth,’

And to the downpour of rain and the downpour of rains, ‘Be strong.’

7He seals the hand of every man,

That all men may know His work.

8Then the beast goes into its lair

And dwells in its [†]den.

9Out of the [†]south comes the storm,

And out of the [†]north the cold.

10From the breath of God ice is made,

And the expanse of the waters is frozen.

11Also with moisture He loads the thick cloud;

He scatters the cloud of His [†]lightning.

12It changes direction, turning around by His guidance,

That [†]it may do whatever He commands [†]it

On the face of the inhabited earth.

13Whether for [†]correction, or for His world,

Or for lovingkindness, He causes it to [†]happen.

14“Give ear to this, O Job,

Stand and carefully consider the wondrous deeds of God.

15Do you know how God establishes them,

And makes the [†]lightning of His cloud to shine?

16Do you know about the layers of the thick clouds,

The wonders of one [†]perfect in knowledge,

17You whose garments are hot,

When the land is quiet because of the south wind?

18Can you, with Him, spread out the skies,

Strong as a molten mirror?

19Make us know what we shall say to Him;

We cannot arrange our case because of darkness.

20Shall it be recounted to Him that I would speak?

[†]If a man says a word, will He indeed be swallowed up?

21“So now [†]men do not see the light which is bright in the skies;

But the wind has passed and cleared them.

22Out of the north comes golden splendor;

Around God is fearsome majesty.

23The Almighty—we cannot find Him;

He is exalted in power

And He will not afflict justice and abundant righteousness.

24Therefore men fear Him;

He does not regard any who are wise of heart.”