Job 12
1 Job replied,
Then 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 ye 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 knoweth 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 that is a laughing-stock to his neighbour, [a man] that called upon God, and he answered him: the just, the perfect man is a laughing-stock.
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 that is at ease there is contempt for misfortune; it is ready for them whose foot slippeth.
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, and they that provoke God are secure; into whose hand God bringeth [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 thee; and the fowls 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.
Or speak to the earth, and it shall teach thee; and the fishes of the sea shall declare unto thee.
9 Which of all these doesn't know that the Lord has done this?
Who knoweth not in all these, that the hand of LORD hath 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.
Doth not the ear try words, even as the palate tasteth its meat?
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, and in length of days understanding.
13 God has wisdom and power, counsel and understanding belong to him.
With him is wisdom and might; he hath counsel and understanding.
14 If he tears something down, nobody can rebuild it. If he imprisons someone, nobody can free them.
Behold, he breaketh down, and it cannot be built again; he shutteth 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 withholdeth the waters, and they dry up; again, he sendeth 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 effectual working; the deceived and the deceiver are his.
17 He leads counselors away stripped of their wisdom, he makes judges into fools.
He leadeth counsellors away spoiled, and judges maketh he fools.
18 He removes the chains of office from kings and makes them wear loincloths.
He looseth the bond of kings, and bindeth their loins with a girdle.
19 He leads priests away stripped of their religious garments, he overthrows the powerful.
He leadeth priests away spoiled, and overthroweth the mighty.
20 He takes away the advice of trusted advisors, he removes the discernment of the elders.
He removeth the speech of the trusty, and taketh away the understanding of the elders.
21 He pours scorn upon princes and takes away power from the strong.
He poureth contempt upon princes, and looseth the belt of the strong.
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 out to light the shadow of death.
23 He makes nations great and he destroys them; he expands nations and ruins them.
He increaseth the nations, and destroyeth them: he spreadeth the nations abroad, and bringeth them in.
24 He removes the understanding of rulers and makes them wander in the wilderness.
He taketh away the heart of the chiefs of the people of the earth, and causeth 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 maketh them to stagger like a drunken man.
