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27 He draws up drops of water from the sea,
and he distills the raindrops to form mist,
28 which flow down from the clouds
and pour down abundantly on mankind.
29 Indeed, who understands how the clouds spread out?
Who understands how the thunder rumbles out from his shelter?
30 Look how he spreads his light[a] all around him,
and he covers the bottom[b] of the sea.
31 He uses this to bring judgment on peoples
and to provide abundant food.
32 With his hands he grasps the lightning,
and he gives it orders as it advances.
33 Through the thunder he sounds his war cry.
The herds sense the coming of the rising storm.[c]

37 When I hear this, my heart races
and leaps from its place.
Listen! Listen to the booming thunder of his voice,
to the rumble that goes out from his mouth.
He turns it loose across the whole sky,
and his light reaches the ends of the earth.
After the lightning, a voice roars.
He thunders with his majestic voice.
He does not restrain the lightning.
Then his voice is heard!
God thunders with his voice in wonderful ways.
He does great things that we do not understand.
To the snow he says, “Fall on the earth.”
To the pouring rain, the torrential downpours of rain,
    he says, “Be strong.”[d]
He brings an end to all the work of men’s hands,
    so that they recognize his work.
The wild animals take shelter in their lairs.
They remain in their dens.
A winter wind comes out from its room,
and driving winds bring icy cold.
10 The breath of God produces ice.
The wide surface of the water turns solid.
11 Yes, he loads dark clouds with moisture,
and he fills the clouds with his light.
12 The clouds swirl around at his direction.
They do whatever he commands them
    over the face of the whole inhabited world.
13 Whether their purpose is to bring punishment or mercy to the world,
    he makes them achieve their goal.

Footnotes

  1. Job 36:30 Or lightning. In Job the same word is used for both light and lightning.
  2. Job 36:30 Literally the roots
  3. Job 36:33 The meaning of this line is uncertain.
  4. Job 37:6 This line is difficult.