Sirach 43:9-33

New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition

⁹ The glory of the stars is the beauty of heaven,
    a glittering array in the heights of the Lord.^(A)
10 On the orders of the Holy One they stand in their appointed places;
    they never relax in their watches.^(B)
11 Look at the rainbow and praise him who made it;
    it is exceedingly beautiful in its brightness.^(C)
12 It encircles the sky with its glorious arc;
    the hands of the Most High have stretched it out.

¹³ By his command he sends the driving snow
    and speeds the lightnings of his judgment.^(D)
14 Therefore the storehouses are opened,
    and the clouds fly out like birds.^(E)
15 In his majesty he gives the clouds their strength,
    and the hailstones are broken in pieces.
^17a The voice of his thunder causes the earth to tremble;
    when he appears, the mountains shake.
At his will the south wind blows,^(F)
    so do the storm from the north and the whirlwind.
He scatters the snow like birds flying down,
    and its descent is like locusts alighting.^(G)
18 The eye is dazzled by the beauty of its whiteness,
    and the mind is amazed as it falls.
¹⁹ He pours frost over the earth like salt,
    and icicles form like pointed thorns.^(H)
20 The cold north wind blows,
    and ice freezes on the water;
it settles on every pool of water,
    and the water puts it on like a breastplate.
²¹ He consumes the mountains and burns up the wilderness
    and withers the tender grass like fire.
²² A mist quickly heals all things;
    the falling dew gives refreshment from the heat.^(I)