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!
No doubt but all of you are the people, 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 have understanding as well as you; I am not inferior to you: yea, who knows not 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 as one mocked of his neighbour, who calls upon God, and he answers him: the just upright 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.
He that is ready to slip with his feet is as a lamp despised in the thought of him that is at ease.
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 prosper, and they that provoke God are secure; into whose hand God brings abundantly.
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 you; and the fowls of the air, and they shall 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 shall teach you: and the fishes of the sea shall declare unto you.
9 Which of all these doesn't know that the Lord has done this?
Who knows not in all these that the hand of the LORD has wrought this?
10 He gives life to every living thing, life to all humankind.
In whose hand is the soul 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? and the mouth taste his food?
12 Wisdom to distinguish belongs to the old, and the ability to rightly discriminate belongs to those with long experience.
With the ancient is wisdom; and in length of days understanding.
13 God has wisdom and power, counsel and understanding belong to him.
With him is wisdom and strength, 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 shuts up a man, and there can be no opening.
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: also 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 counsellors away spoiled, and makes the judges fools.
18 He removes the chains of office from kings and makes them wear loincloths.
He looses the bond of kings, and girds their loins with a girdle.
19 He leads priests away stripped of their religious garments, he overthrows the powerful.
He leads princes away spoiled, and overthrows the mighty.
20 He takes away the advice of trusted advisors, he removes the discernment of the elders.
He removes away the speech of the trusty, and takes away the understanding of the aged.
21 He pours scorn upon princes and takes away power from the strong.
He pours contempt upon princes, and weakens the strength of the mighty.
22 He reveals what is hidden in darkness, and brings into the light the shadow of death.
He discovers 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 destroys them: he enlarges the nations, and straitens them again.
24 He removes the understanding of rulers and makes them wander in the wilderness.
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 grope around in the dark without a light. He makes them stagger like drunk people.
They grope in the dark without light, and he makes them to stagger like a drunken man.
