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?
No doubt but you are the people, 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 have understanding as well as you; I am not inferior to you: yes, who knows not such things as these?
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.
I am as one mocked of his neighbor, who calls on God, and he answers him: the just upright man is laughed to scorn.
5 The lamp despised in the thoughts of the rich, is ready for the time appointed.
He that is ready to slip with his feet is as a lamp despised in the thought of him that is at ease.
6 The tabernacles of robbers abound, and they provoke God boldly; whereas it is he that hath given all into their hands:
The tabernacles of robbers prosper, and they that provoke God are secure; into whose hand God brings abundantly.
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, and they shall teach you; and the fowls of the air, and they shall tell you:
8 Speak to the earth, and it shall answer thee: and the fishes of the sea shall tell.
Or speak to the earth, and it shall teach you: and the fishes of the sea shall declare to you.
9 Who is ignorant that the hand of the Lord hath made all these things?
Who knows not in all these that the hand of the LORD has worked this?
10 In whose hand is the soul of every living thing, and the spirit of all flesh of man.
In whose hand is the soul of every living thing, and the breath of all mankind.
11 Doth not the ear discern words, and the palate of him that eateth, the taste?
Does not the ear try words? and the mouth taste his meat?
12 In the ancient is wisdom, and in length of days prudence.
With the ancient is wisdom; and in length of days understanding.
13 With him is wisdom and strength, he hath counsel and understanding.
With him is wisdom and strength, he has 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.
Behold, he breaks down, and it cannot be built again: he shuts up a man, and there can be no opening.
15 If he withhold the waters, all things shall be dried up: and if he send them out, they shall overturn the earth.
Behold, he withholds the waters, and they dry up: also he sends them out, and they overturn the earth.
16 With him is strength and wisdom: he knoweth both the deceiver, and him that is deceived.
With him is strength and wisdom: the deceived and the deceiver are his.
17 He bringeth counsellors to a foolish end, and judges to insensibility.
He leads counsellors away spoiled, and makes the judges fools.
18 He looseth the belt of kings, and girdeth their loins with a cord.
He looses the bond of kings, and girds their loins with a girdle.
19 He leadeth away priests without glory, and overthroweth nobles.
He leads princes away spoiled, and overthrows the mighty.
20 He changeth the speech of the true speakers, and taketh away the doctrine of the aged.
He removes away the speech of the trusty, and takes away the understanding of the aged.
21 He poureth contempt upon princes, and relieveth them that were oppressed.
He pours contempt on princes, and weakens the strength of the mighty.
22 He discovereth deep things out of darkness, and bringeth up to light the shadow of death.
He discovers deep things out of darkness, and brings out to light the shadow of death.
23 He multiplieth nations, and destroyeth them, and restoreth them again after they were overthrown.
He increases the nations, and destroys them: he enlarges the nations, and straitens them again.
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 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 way.
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 in the dark without light, and he makes them to stagger like a drunken man.
