< Job 12 >

1 Job replied,
And Job answered and said,
2 “You really think you're special people, don't you? Obviously when you die, wisdom will die with you!
So then you [alone] are men, and wisdom shall 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 also have a heart as well as you.
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.
For a righteous and blameless man has become a subject for mockery.
5 People who are comfortable have contempt for those who are in trouble, ready to push over those who are already slipping.
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 Robbers live in peace, and those who make God angry live in safety, trusting their own strength as their ‘god.’
even as many as provoke the Lord, as if there were indeed to be no inquisition [made] of them.
7 But if you ask the animals they will teach you, the birds in the sky will tell you;
But ask now the beasts, if they may speak to you; and the birds of the air, if they may declare to you.
8 ask the earth and it will teach you, and the fishes in the sea will tell you.
Tell the earth, if it may speak to you: and the fishes of the sea shall explain to you.
9 Which of all these doesn't know that the Lord has done this?
Who then has not known in all these things, that the hand of the Lord has made them?
10 He gives life to every living thing, life to all humankind.
Whereas the life of all living things is in his hand, and the breath of every man.
11 The ear distinguishes words just like the palate distinguishes foods.
For the ear tries words, and the palate tastes meats.
12 Wisdom to distinguish belongs to the old, and the ability to rightly discriminate belongs to those with long experience.
In length of time is wisdom, and in long life knowledge.
13 God has wisdom and power, counsel and understanding belong to him.
With him are wisdom and power, with him counsel and understanding.
14 If he tears something down, nobody can rebuild it. If he imprisons someone, nobody can free them.
If he should cast down, who will build up? if he should shut up against man, who shall open?
15 If God holds back the waters, everything dries up; if he releases the waters, the earth floods.
If he should withhold the water, he will dry the earth: and if he should let it loose, he overthrows and destroys it.
16 He is mighty and victorious; both deceivers and those deceived are subject to him.
With him are strength and power: he has knowledge and understanding.
17 He leads counselors away stripped of their wisdom, he makes judges into fools.
He leads counsellors away captive, and maddens the judges of the earth.
18 He removes the chains of office from kings and makes them wear loincloths.
He seats kings upon thrones, and girds their loins with a girdle.
19 He leads priests away stripped of their religious garments, he overthrows the powerful.
He sends away priests into captivity, and overthrows the mighty ones of the earth.
20 He takes away the advice of trusted advisors, he removes the discernment of the elders.
He changes the lips of the trusty, and he knows the understanding of the elders.
21 He pours scorn upon princes and takes away power from the strong.
He pours dishonour upon princes, and heals the lowly.
22 He reveals what is hidden in darkness, and brings into the light the shadow of death.
Revealing deep things out of darkness: and he has brought into light the shadow of death.
23 He makes nations great and he destroys them; he expands nations and ruins them.
Causing the nations to wander, and destroying them: overthrowing the nations, and leading them [away].
24 He removes the understanding of rulers and makes them wander in the wilderness.
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 grope around in the dark without a light. He makes them stagger like drunk people.
Let them grope [in] darkness, and [let there be] no light, and let them wander as a drunken man.

< Job 12 >