CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE EARNINGS (unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017	Mar. 31, 2016
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net earnings	$ 172,247	$ 99,356
Foreign currency translation adjustments [Abstract]
Foreign currency translation gains during period	39,897	8,769
Reclassification of foreign currency translation losses to earnings upon sale of subsidiaries	(3,875)	0
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Foreign Currency Transaction and Translation Reclassification Adjustment from AOCI, Realized upon Sale or Liquidation, before Tax	(3,875)	0
Total foreign currency translation adjustment	43,772	8,769
Pension and other postretirement benefit plans [Abstract]
Amortization of actuarial losses included in net periodic pension cost	1,338	1,409
Amortization of prior service cost included in net periodic pension cost	702	1,041
Total pension and other postretirement benefit plans	2,040	2,450
Changes in fair value of cash flow hedges [Abstract]
Unrealized net gains (losses) arising during period	78	(49)
Net losses reclassified into earnings	(217)	(47)
Total cash flow hedges	(139)	(96)
Other	337	1,839
Other comprehensive earnings	46,010	12,962
Comprehensive earnings	$ 218,257	$ 112,318