12:1 And Job answered and said, |
12:2 "For truly you are no doubt the people, and wisdom will die with you. |
12:3 But I have understanding as well as you; I am not inferior to you; yea, who does not know such things as these? |
12:4 I am as one who is a laughingstock to my friends; a man who called upon God, and He answered him; the just, the innocent one is laughed to scorn; |
12:5 Those who are at ease have contempt for misfortune; as it is ready for those whose feet slip. |
12:6 The tabernacles of robbers prosper, and those who provoke God are secure, in whatever God brings into their hand. |
12:7 But now ask the animals, and they shall teach you; and the birds of the air, and they shall tell you; |
12:8 Or speak to the earth, and it shall teach you; and the fish of the sea shall declare it to you; |
12:9 Who of all these does not know that the hand of the LORD has done this? |
12:10 In whose hand is the soul of every living thing, and the breath of all flesh, even of mankind? |
12:11 Does not the ear try words? And does not the mouth taste its food? |
12:12 With the ancient is wisdom, and understanding in length of days. |
12:13 With Him is wisdom and strength; He has counsel and understanding. |
12:14 Behold, if He tears down, no one can rebuild; if He shuts in a man, no one can open. |
12:15 Behold, He withholds the waters, and they dry up; also He sends them out, and they inundate the earth. |
12:16 With Him is strength and sound wisdom; the deceived and the deceiver are His. |
12:17 He leads counselors away stripped, and makes the judges fools. |
12:18 He loosens the bonds of kings, and binds their loins with a girdle. |
12:19 He leads princes away stripped, and overthrows the mighty. |
12:20 He silences the lips of trusted ones, and takes away the understanding of the elders. |
12:21 He pours contempt upon princes, and unties the belt of the mighty. |
12:22 He uncovers deep things out of darkness, and brings the shadow of death to light. |
12:23 He gives greatness to the nations, and destroys them. He enlarges the nations, and leads them away. |
12:24 He takes away the heart of the chief of the people of the earth, and causes them to wander in a wilderness where there is no path. |
12:25 They grope in the dark without light, and He makes them to stagger like a drunken man." |