Job 12
1 Job replied,
When Job answered, and said:
2 “You really think you're special people, don't you? Obviously when you die, wisdom will die with you!
Are you then men alone, and shall wisdom 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?
I also have a heart as well as you: for who is ignorant of these things, which you know?
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.
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.
5 People who are comfortable have contempt for those who are in trouble, ready to push over those who are already slipping.
The lamp despised in the thoughts of the rich, is ready for the time appointed.
6 Robbers live in peace, and those who make God angry live in safety, trusting their own strength as their ‘god.’
The tabernacles of robbers abound, and they provoke God boldly; whereas it is he that hath given all into their hands:
7 But if you ask the animals they will teach you, the birds in the sky will tell you;
But ask now the beasts, and they shall teach thee: and the birds of the air, and they shall tell thee.
8 ask the earth and it will teach you, and the fishes in the sea will tell you.
Speak to the earth, and it shall answer thee: and the fishes of the sea shall tell.
9 Which of all these doesn't know that the Lord has done this?
Who is ignorant that the hand of the Lord hath made all these things?
10 He gives life to every living thing, life to all humankind.
In whose hand is the soul of every living thing, and the spirit of all flesh of man.
11 The ear distinguishes words just like the palate distinguishes foods.
Doth not the ear discern words, and the palate of him that eateth, the taste?
12 Wisdom to distinguish belongs to the old, and the ability to rightly discriminate belongs to those with long experience.
In the ancient is wisdom, and in length of days prudence.
13 God has wisdom and power, counsel and understanding belong to him.
With him is wisdom and strength, he hath counsel and understanding.
14 If he tears something down, nobody can rebuild it. If he imprisons someone, nobody can free them.
If he pull down, there is no man that can build up: if he shut up a. man, there is none that can open.
15 If God holds back the waters, everything dries up; if he releases the waters, the earth floods.
If he withhold the waters, all things shall be dried up: and if he send them out, they shall overturn the earth.
16 He is mighty and victorious; both deceivers and those deceived are subject to him.
With him is strength and wisdom: he knoweth both the deceiver, and him that is deceived.
17 He leads counselors away stripped of their wisdom, he makes judges into fools.
He bringeth counsellors to a foolish end, and judges to insensibility.
18 He removes the chains of office from kings and makes them wear loincloths.
He looseth the belt of kings, and girdeth their loins with a cord.
19 He leads priests away stripped of their religious garments, he overthrows the powerful.
He leadeth away priests without glory, and overthroweth nobles.
20 He takes away the advice of trusted advisors, he removes the discernment of the elders.
He changeth the speech of the true speakers, and taketh away the doctrine of the aged.
21 He pours scorn upon princes and takes away power from the strong.
He poureth contempt upon princes, and relieveth them that were oppressed.
22 He reveals what is hidden in darkness, and brings into the light the shadow of death.
He discovereth deep things out of darkness, and bringeth up to light the shadow of death.
23 He makes nations great and he destroys them; he expands nations and ruins them.
He multiplieth nations, and destroyeth them, and restoreth them again after they were overthrown.
24 He removes the understanding of rulers and makes them wander in the wilderness.
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.
25 They grope around in the dark without a light. He makes them stagger like drunk people.
They shall grope as in the dark, and not in the light, and he shall make them stagger like men that are drunk.
