The Message Bible MSG
World English Bible WEB
1 "Whenever this happens, my heart stops - I'm stunned, I can't catch my breath.
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"Yes, at this my heart trembles, And is moved out of its place.
2 Listen to it! Listen to his thunder, the rolling, rumbling thunder of his voice.
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Hear, oh, hear the noise of his voice, The sound that goes out of his mouth.
3 He lets loose his lightnings from horizon to horizon, lighting up the earth from pole to pole.
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He sends it forth under the whole sky, And his lightning to the ends of the earth.
4 In their wake, the thunder echoes his voice, powerful and majestic. He lets out all the stops, he holds nothing back. No one can mistake that voice -
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After it a voice roars. He thunders with the voice of his majesty; He doesn't hold back anything when his voice is heard.
5 His word thundering so wondrously, his mighty acts staggering our understanding.
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God thunders marvelously with his voice. He does great things, which we can't comprehend.
6 He orders the snow, 'Blanket the earth!' and the rain, 'Soak the whole countryside!'
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For he says to the snow, 'Fall on the earth;' Likewise to the shower of rain, And to the showers of his mighty rain.
7 No one can escape the weather - it's there. And no one can escape from God.
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He seals up the hand of every man, That all men whom he has made may know it.
8 Wild animals take shelter, crawling into their dens,
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Then the animals go into coverts, And remain in their dens.
9 When blizzards roar out of the north and freezing rain crusts the land.
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Out of its chamber comes the storm, And cold out of the north.
10 It's God's breath that forms the ice, it's God's breath that turns lakes and rivers solid.
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By the breath of God, ice is given, And the breadth of the waters is frozen.
11 And yes, it's God who fills clouds with rainwater and hurls lightning from them every which way.
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Yes, he loads the thick cloud with moisture. He spreads abroad the cloud of his lightning.
12 He puts them through their paces - first this way, then that - commands them to do what he says all over the world.
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It is turned round about by his guidance, That they may do whatever he commands them On the surface of the habitable world,
13 Whether for discipline or grace or extravagant love, he makes sure they make their mark. A Terrible Beauty Streams from God
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Whether it is for correction, or for his land, Or for lovingkindness, that he causes it to come.
14 "Job, are you listening? Have you noticed all this? Stop in your tracks! Take in God's miracle-wonders!
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"Listen to this, Job: Stand still, and consider the wondrous works of God.
15 Do you have any idea how God does it all, how he makes bright lightning from dark storms,
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Do you know how God controls them, And causes the lightning of his cloud to shine?
16 How he piles up the cumulus clouds - all these miracle-wonders of a perfect Mind?
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Do you know the workings of the clouds, The wondrous works of him who is perfect in knowledge?
17 Why, you don't even know how to keep cool on a sweltering hot day,
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You whose clothing is warm, When the earth is still by reason of the south wind?
18 So how could you even dream of making a dent in that hot-tin-roof sky?
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Can you, with him, spread out the sky, Which is strong as a cast metal mirror?
19 "If you're so smart, give us a lesson in how to address God. We're in the dark and can't figure it out.
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Teach us what we shall tell him; For we can't make our case by reason of darkness.
20 Do you think I'm dumb enough to challenge God? Wouldn't that just be asking for trouble?
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Shall it be told him that I would speak? Or should a man wish that he were swallowed up?
21 No one in his right mind stares straight at the sun on a clear and cloudless day.
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Now men don't see the light which is bright in the skies, But the wind passes, and clears them.
22 As gold comes from the northern mountains, so a terrible beauty streams from God.
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Out of the north comes golden splendor; With God is awesome majesty.
23 "Mighty God! Far beyond our reach! Unsurpassable in power and justice! It's unthinkable that he'd treat anyone unfairly.
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We can't reach the Almighty, He is exalted in power; In justice and great righteousness he will not oppress.
24 So bow to him in deep reverence, one and all! If you're wise, you'll most certainly worship him."
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Therefore men revere him. He doesn't regard any who are wise of heart."
Published by permission. Originally published by NavPress in English as THE MESSAGE: The Bible in Contemporary Language copyright 2002 by Eugene Peterson. All rights reserved.
The World English Bible is in the public domain.