New Living Translation NLT
The Message Bible MSG
1 “My heart pounds as I think of this. It trembles within me.
1
"Whenever this happens, my heart stops - I'm stunned, I can't catch my breath.
2 Listen carefully to the thunder of God’s voice as it rolls from his mouth.
2
Listen to it! Listen to his thunder, the rolling, rumbling thunder of his voice.
3 It rolls across the heavens, and his lightning flashes in every direction.
3
He lets loose his lightnings from horizon to horizon, lighting up the earth from pole to pole.
4 Then comes the roaring of the thunder— the tremendous voice of his majesty. He does not restrain it when he speaks.
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 -
5 God’s voice is glorious in the thunder. We can’t even imagine the greatness of his power.
5
His word thundering so wondrously, his mighty acts staggering our understanding.
6 “He directs the snow to fall on the earth and tells the rain to pour down.
6
He orders the snow, 'Blanket the earth!' and the rain, 'Soak the whole countryside!'
7 Then everyone stops working so they can watch his power.
7
No one can escape the weather - it's there. And no one can escape from God.
8 The wild animals take cover and stay inside their dens.
8
Wild animals take shelter, crawling into their dens,
9 The stormy wind comes from its chamber, and the driving winds bring the cold.
9
When blizzards roar out of the north and freezing rain crusts the land.
10 God’s breath sends the ice, freezing wide expanses of water.
10
It's God's breath that forms the ice, it's God's breath that turns lakes and rivers solid.
11 He loads the clouds with moisture, and they flash with his lightning.
11
And yes, it's God who fills clouds with rainwater and hurls lightning from them every which way.
12 The clouds churn about at his direction. They do whatever he commands throughout the earth.
12
He puts them through their paces - first this way, then that - commands them to do what he says all over the world.
13 He makes these things happen either to punish people or to show his unfailing love.
13
Whether for discipline or grace or extravagant love, he makes sure they make their mark. A Terrible Beauty Streams from God
14 “Pay attention to this, Job. Stop and consider the wonderful miracles of God!
14
"Job, are you listening? Have you noticed all this? Stop in your tracks! Take in God's miracle-wonders!
15 Do you know how God controls the storm and causes the lightning to flash from his clouds?
15
Do you have any idea how God does it all, how he makes bright lightning from dark storms,
16 Do you understand how he moves the clouds with wonderful perfection and skill?
16
How he piles up the cumulus clouds - all these miracle-wonders of a perfect Mind?
17 When you are sweltering in your clothes and the south wind dies down and everything is still,
17
Why, you don't even know how to keep cool on a sweltering hot day,
18 he makes the skies reflect the heat like a bronze mirror. Can you do that?
18
So how could you even dream of making a dent in that hot-tin-roof sky?
19 “So teach the rest of us what to say to God. We are too ignorant to make our own arguments.
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.
20 Should God be notified that I want to speak? Can people even speak when they are confused?
20
Do you think I'm dumb enough to challenge God? Wouldn't that just be asking for trouble?
21 We cannot look at the sun, for it shines brightly in the sky when the wind clears away the clouds.
21
No one in his right mind stares straight at the sun on a clear and cloudless day.
22 So also, golden splendor comes from the mountain of God. He is clothed in dazzling splendor.
22
As gold comes from the northern mountains, so a terrible beauty streams from God.
23 We cannot imagine the power of the Almighty; but even though he is just and righteous, he does not destroy us.
23
"Mighty God! Far beyond our reach! Unsurpassable in power and justice! It's unthinkable that he'd treat anyone unfairly.
24 No wonder people everywhere fear him. All who are wise show him reverence. ”
24
So bow to him in deep reverence, one and all! If you're wise, you'll most certainly worship him."
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright© 1996, 2004, 2007, 2013 by
Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
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.