Job 12
1 When Job answered, and said:
Job replied,
2 Are you then men alone, and shall wisdom die with you?
“You really think you're special people, don't you? Obviously when you die, wisdom will 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 too have insights, and you're no better than me. Doesn't everyone know the things you've said?
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.
But my friends laugh at me because I called on God and he answered me: the innocent man who does right has become an object of derision.
5 The lamp despised in the thoughts of the rich, is ready for the time appointed.
People who are comfortable have contempt for those who are in trouble, ready to push over those who are already slipping.
6 The tabernacles of robbers abound, and they provoke God boldly; whereas it is he that hath given all into their hands:
Robbers live in peace, and those who make God angry live in safety, trusting their own strength as their ‘god.’
7 But ask now the beasts, and they shall teach thee: and the birds of the air, and they shall tell thee.
But if you ask the animals they will teach you, the birds in the sky will tell you;
8 Speak to the earth, and it shall answer thee: and the fishes of the sea shall tell.
ask the earth and it will teach you, and the fishes in the sea will tell you.
9 Who is ignorant that the hand of the Lord hath made all these things?
Which of all these doesn't know that the Lord has done this?
10 In whose hand is the soul of every living thing, and the spirit of all flesh of man.
He gives life to every living thing, life to all humankind.
11 Doth not the ear discern words, and the palate of him that eateth, the taste?
The ear distinguishes words just like the palate distinguishes foods.
12 In the ancient is wisdom, and in length of days prudence.
Wisdom to distinguish belongs to the old, and the ability to rightly discriminate belongs to those with long experience.
13 With him is wisdom and strength, he hath counsel and understanding.
God has wisdom and power, counsel and understanding belong to him.
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 tears something down, nobody can rebuild it. If he imprisons someone, nobody can free them.
15 If he withhold the waters, all things shall be dried up: and if he send them out, they shall overturn the earth.
If God holds back the waters, everything dries up; if he releases the waters, the earth floods.
16 With him is strength and wisdom: he knoweth both the deceiver, and him that is deceived.
He is mighty and victorious; both deceivers and those deceived are subject to him.
17 He bringeth counsellors to a foolish end, and judges to insensibility.
He leads counselors away stripped of their wisdom, he makes judges into fools.
18 He looseth the belt of kings, and girdeth their loins with a cord.
He removes the chains of office from kings and makes them wear loincloths.
19 He leadeth away priests without glory, and overthroweth nobles.
He leads priests away stripped of their religious garments, he overthrows the powerful.
20 He changeth the speech of the true speakers, and taketh away the doctrine of the aged.
He takes away the advice of trusted advisors, he removes the discernment of the elders.
21 He poureth contempt upon princes, and relieveth them that were oppressed.
He pours scorn upon princes and takes away power from the strong.
22 He discovereth deep things out of darkness, and bringeth up to light the shadow of death.
He reveals what is hidden in darkness, and brings into the light the shadow of death.
23 He multiplieth nations, and destroyeth them, and restoreth them again after they were overthrown.
He makes nations great and he destroys them; he expands nations and ruins them.
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.
He removes the understanding of rulers and makes them wander in the wilderness.
25 They shall grope as in the dark, and not in the light, and he shall make them stagger like men that are drunk.
They grope around in the dark without a light. He makes them stagger like drunk people.
