Job 12
1 Job replied,
Then Job answered,
2 “You really think you're special people, don't you? Obviously when you die, wisdom will die with you!
“No doubt, but you are the people, and wisdom will die with you.
3 But I too have insights, and you're no better than me. Doesn't everyone know the things you've said?
But I have understanding as well as you; I am not inferior to you. Yes, who does not know such things as these?
4 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.
I am like one who is a joke to his neighbor, I, who called on God, and he answered. The just, the blameless man is a joke.
5 People who are comfortable have contempt for those who are in trouble, ready to push over those who are already slipping.
In the thought of him who is at ease there is contempt for misfortune. It is ready for them whose foot slips.
6 Robbers live in peace, and those who make God angry live in safety, trusting their own strength as their ‘god.’
The tents of robbers prosper. Those who provoke God are secure, who carry their god in their hands.
7 But if you ask the animals they will teach you, the birds in the sky will tell you;
“But ask the animals now, and they will teach you; the birds of the sky, and they will tell you.
8 ask the earth and it will teach you, and the fishes in the sea will tell you.
Or speak to the earth, and it will teach you. The fish of the sea will declare to you.
9 Which of all these doesn't know that the Lord has done this?
Who does not know that in all these, the LORD’s hand has done this,
10 He gives life to every living thing, life to all humankind.
in whose hand is the life of every living thing, and the breath of all mankind?
11 The ear distinguishes words just like the palate distinguishes foods.
Does not the ear try words, even as the palate tastes its food?
12 Wisdom to distinguish belongs to the old, and the ability to rightly discriminate belongs to those with long experience.
With aged men is wisdom, in length of days understanding.
13 God has wisdom and power, counsel and understanding belong to him.
“With God is wisdom and might. He has counsel and understanding.
14 If he tears something down, nobody can rebuild it. If he imprisons someone, nobody can free them.
Behold, he breaks down, and it cannot be built again. He imprisons a man, and there can be no release.
15 If God holds back the waters, everything dries up; if he releases the waters, the earth floods.
Behold, he withholds the waters, and they dry up. Again, he sends them out, and they overturn the earth.
16 He is mighty and victorious; both deceivers and those deceived are subject to him.
With him is strength and wisdom. The deceived and the deceiver are his.
17 He leads counselors away stripped of their wisdom, he makes judges into fools.
He leads counselors away stripped. He makes judges fools.
18 He removes the chains of office from kings and makes them wear loincloths.
He loosens the bond of kings. He binds their waist with a belt.
19 He leads priests away stripped of their religious garments, he overthrows the powerful.
He leads priests away stripped, and overthrows the mighty.
20 He takes away the advice of trusted advisors, he removes the discernment of the elders.
He removes the speech of those who are trusted, and takes away the understanding of the elders.
21 He pours scorn upon princes and takes away power from the strong.
He pours contempt on princes, and loosens the belt of the strong.
22 He reveals what is hidden in darkness, and brings into the light the shadow of death.
He uncovers deep things out of darkness, and brings out to light the shadow of death.
23 He makes nations great and he destroys them; he expands nations and ruins them.
He increases the nations, and he destroys them. He enlarges the nations, and he leads them captive.
24 He removes the understanding of rulers and makes them wander in the wilderness.
He takes away understanding from the chiefs of the people of the earth, and causes them to wander in a wilderness where there is no way.
25 They grope around in the dark without a light. He makes them stagger like drunk people.
They grope in the dark without light. He makes them stagger like a drunken man.
