Job 12

1 When Job answered, and said:

And Job answered and said,

2 Are you then men alone, and shall wisdom die with you?

So then ye [alone] are men, and wisdom shall die with you?

3 I also have a heart as well as you: for who is ignorant of these things, which you know?

[But] I also have a heart as well as you.

4 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.

For a righteous and blameless man has become a subject for mockery.

5 The lamp despised in the thoughts of the rich, is ready for the time appointed.

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,

6 The tabernacles of robbers abound, and they provoke God boldly; whereas it is he that hath given all into their hands:

even as many as provoke the Lord, as if there were indeed to be no inquisition [made] of them.

7 But ask now the beasts, and they shall teach thee: and the birds of the air, and they shall tell thee.

But ask now the beasts, if they may speak to thee; and the birds of the air, if they may declare to thee.

8 Speak to the earth, and it shall answer thee: and the fishes of the sea shall tell.

Tell the earth, if it may speak to thee: and the fishes of the sea shall explain to thee.

9 Who is ignorant that the hand of the Lord hath made all these things?

Who then has not known in all these things, that the hand of the Lord has made them?

10 In whose hand is the soul of every living thing, and the spirit of all flesh of man.

Whereas the life of all living things is in his hand, and the breath of every man.

11 Doth not the ear discern words, and the palate of him that eateth, the taste?

For the ear tries words, and the palate tastes meats.

12 In the ancient is wisdom, and in length of days prudence.

In length of time is wisdom, and in long life knowledge.

13 With him is wisdom and strength, he hath counsel and understanding.

With him are wisdom and power, with him counsel and understanding.

14 If he pull down, there is no man that can build up: if he shut up a. man, there is none that can open.

If he should cast down, who will build up? if he should shut up against man, who shall open?

15 If he withhold the waters, all things shall be dried up: and if he send them out, they shall overturn the earth.

If he should withhold the water, he will dry the earth: and if he should let it loose, he overthrows and destroys it.

16 With him is strength and wisdom: he knoweth both the deceiver, and him that is deceived.

With him are strength and power: he has knowledge and understanding.

17 He bringeth counsellors to a foolish end, and judges to insensibility.

He leads counsellors away captive, and maddens the judges of the earth.

18 He looseth the belt of kings, and girdeth their loins with a cord.

He seats kings upon thrones, and girds their loins with a girdle.

19 He leadeth away priests without glory, and overthroweth nobles.

He sends away priests into captivity, and overthrows the mighty ones of the earth.

20 He changeth the speech of the true speakers, and taketh away the doctrine of the aged.

He changes the lips of the trusty, and he knows the understanding of the elders.

21 He poureth contempt upon princes, and relieveth them that were oppressed.

He pours dishonour upon princes, and heals the lowly.

22 He discovereth deep things out of darkness, and bringeth up to light the shadow of death.

Revealing deep things out of darkness: and he has brought into light the shadow of death.

23 He multiplieth nations, and destroyeth them, and restoreth them again after they were overthrown.

Causing the nations to wander, and destroying them: overthrowing the nations, and leading them [away].

24 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.

Perplexing the minds of the princes of the earth: and he causes them to wander in a way, they have not known, [saying],

25 They shall grope as in the dark, and not in the light, and he shall make them stagger like men that are drunk.

Let them grope [in] darkness, and [let there be] no light, and let them wander as a drunken man.