Job 12
1 And Job answered and said,
When Job answered, and said:
2 So then you [alone] are men, and wisdom shall die with you?
Are you then men alone, and shall wisdom die with you?
3 [But] I also have a heart as well as you.
I also have a heart as well as you: for who is ignorant of these things, which you know?
4 For a righteous and blameless man has become a subject for mockery.
He that is mocked by his friends as I, shall call upon God and he will hear him: for the simplicity of the just man is laughed to scorn.
5 For it had been ordained that he should fall under others at the appointed time, and that his houses should be spoiled by transgressors: let not however any one trust that, being evil, he shall be [held] guiltless,
The lamp despised in the thoughts of the rich, is ready for the time appointed.
6 even as many as provoke the Lord, as if there were indeed to be no inquisition [made] of them.
The tabernacles of robbers abound, and they provoke God boldly; whereas it is he that hath given all into their hands:
7 But ask now the beasts, if they may speak to you; and the birds of the air, if they may declare to you.
But ask now the beasts, and they shall teach thee: and the birds of the air, and they shall tell thee.
8 Tell the earth, if it may speak to you: and the fishes of the sea shall explain to you.
Speak to the earth, and it shall answer thee: and the fishes of the sea shall tell.
9 Who then has not known in all these things, that the hand of the Lord has made them?
Who is ignorant that the hand of the Lord hath made all these things?
10 Whereas the life of all living things is in his hand, and the breath of every man.
In whose hand is the soul of every living thing, and the spirit of all flesh of man.
11 For the ear tries words, and the palate tastes meats.
Doth not the ear discern words, and the palate of him that eateth, the taste?
12 In length of time is wisdom, and in long life knowledge.
In the ancient is wisdom, and in length of days prudence.
13 With him are wisdom and power, with him counsel and understanding.
With him is wisdom and strength, he hath counsel and understanding.
14 If he should cast down, who will build up? if he should shut up against man, who shall open?
If he pull down, there is no man that can build up: if he shut up a. man, there is none that can open.
15 If he should withhold the water, he will dry the earth: and if he should let it loose, he overthrows and destroys it.
If he withhold the waters, all things shall be dried up: and if he send them out, they shall overturn the earth.
16 With him are strength and power: he has knowledge and understanding.
With him is strength and wisdom: he knoweth both the deceiver, and him that is deceived.
17 He leads counsellors away captive, and maddens the judges of the earth.
He bringeth counsellors to a foolish end, and judges to insensibility.
18 He seats kings upon thrones, and girds their loins with a girdle.
He looseth the belt of kings, and girdeth their loins with a cord.
19 He sends away priests into captivity, and overthrows the mighty ones of the earth.
He leadeth away priests without glory, and overthroweth nobles.
20 He changes the lips of the trusty, and he knows the understanding of the elders.
He changeth the speech of the true speakers, and taketh away the doctrine of the aged.
21 He pours dishonour upon princes, and heals the lowly.
He poureth contempt upon princes, and relieveth them that were oppressed.
22 Revealing deep things out of darkness: and he has brought into light the shadow of death.
He discovereth deep things out of darkness, and bringeth up to light the shadow of death.
23 Causing the nations to wander, and destroying them: overthrowing the nations, and leading them [away].
He multiplieth nations, and destroyeth them, and restoreth them again after they were overthrown.
24 Perplexing the minds of the princes of the earth: and he causes them to wander in a way, they have not known, [saying],
He changeth the heart of the princes of the people of the earth, and deceiveth them that they walk in vain where there is no way.
25 Let them grope [in] darkness, and [let there be] no light, and let them wander as a drunken man.
They shall grope as in the dark, and not in the light, and he shall make them stagger like men that are drunk.
