Job 12
1 And Job answered and said,
Job replied,
2 No doubt but you are the people, and wisdom shall die with you.
“You really think you're special people, don't you? Obviously when you die, wisdom will die with you!
3 But I have understanding as well as you; I am not inferior to you: yes, who knows not such things as these?
But I too have insights, and you're no better than me. Doesn't everyone know the things you've said?
4 I am as one mocked of his neighbor, who calls on God, and he answers him: the just upright man is laughed to scorn.
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.
5 He that is ready to slip with his feet is as a lamp despised in the thought of him that is at ease.
People who are comfortable have contempt for those who are in trouble, ready to push over those who are already slipping.
6 The tabernacles of robbers prosper, and they that provoke God are secure; into whose hand God brings abundantly.
Robbers live in peace, and those who make God angry live in safety, trusting their own strength as their ‘god.’
7 But ask now the beasts, and they shall teach you; and the fowls of the air, and they shall tell you:
But if you ask the animals they will teach you, the birds in the sky will tell you;
8 Or speak to the earth, and it shall teach you: and the fishes of the sea shall declare to you.
ask the earth and it will teach you, and the fishes in the sea will tell you.
9 Who knows not in all these that the hand of the LORD has worked this?
Which of all these doesn't know that the Lord has done this?
10 In whose hand is the soul of every living thing, and the breath of all mankind.
He gives life to every living thing, life to all humankind.
11 Does not the ear try words? and the mouth taste his meat?
The ear distinguishes words just like the palate distinguishes foods.
12 With the ancient is wisdom; and in length of days understanding.
Wisdom to distinguish belongs to the old, and the ability to rightly discriminate belongs to those with long experience.
13 With him is wisdom and strength, he has counsel and understanding.
God has wisdom and power, counsel and understanding belong to him.
14 Behold, he breaks down, and it cannot be built again: he shuts up a man, and there can be no opening.
If he tears something down, nobody can rebuild it. If he imprisons someone, nobody can free them.
15 Behold, he withholds the waters, and they dry up: also he sends them out, and they overturn the earth.
If God holds back the waters, everything dries up; if he releases the waters, the earth floods.
16 With him is strength and wisdom: the deceived and the deceiver are his.
He is mighty and victorious; both deceivers and those deceived are subject to him.
17 He leads counsellors away spoiled, and makes the judges fools.
He leads counselors away stripped of their wisdom, he makes judges into fools.
18 He looses the bond of kings, and girds their loins with a girdle.
He removes the chains of office from kings and makes them wear loincloths.
19 He leads princes away spoiled, and overthrows the mighty.
He leads priests away stripped of their religious garments, he overthrows the powerful.
20 He removes away the speech of the trusty, and takes away the understanding of the aged.
He takes away the advice of trusted advisors, he removes the discernment of the elders.
21 He pours contempt on princes, and weakens the strength of the mighty.
He pours scorn upon princes and takes away power from the strong.
22 He discovers deep things out of darkness, and brings out to light the shadow of death.
He reveals what is hidden in darkness, and brings into the light the shadow of death.
23 He increases the nations, and destroys them: he enlarges the nations, and straitens them again.
He makes nations great and he destroys them; he expands nations and ruins them.
24 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.
He removes the understanding of rulers and makes them wander in the wilderness.
25 They grope in the dark without light, and he makes them to stagger like a drunken man.
They grope around in the dark without a light. He makes them stagger like drunk people.
