< Job 12 >

1 And Job answered and said,
Then Job answered and said:
2 No doubt but you are the people, and wisdom shall die with you.
No doubt but ye are the people, and wisdom shall 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 have understanding as well as you; I am not inferior to you; yea, who knoweth not such things as these?
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.
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 innocent man is a laughing-stock,
5 He that is ready to slip with his feet is as a lamp despised in the thought of him that is at ease.
A contemptible brand in the thought of him that is at ease, a thing ready for them whose foot slippeth.
6 The tabernacles of robbers prosper, and they that provoke God are secure; into whose hand God brings abundantly.
The tents of robbers prosper, and they that provoke God are secure, in whatsoever God bringeth into their hand.
7 But ask now the beasts, and they shall teach you; and the fowls of the air, and they shall tell you:
But ask now the beasts, and they shall teach thee; and the fowls of the air, and they shall tell thee;
8 Or speak to the earth, and it shall teach you: and the fishes of the sea shall declare to you.
Or speak to the earth, and it shall teach thee; and the fishes of the sea shall declare unto thee;
9 Who knows not in all these that the hand of the LORD has worked this?
Who knoweth not among all these, that the hand of the LORD hath wrought this?
10 In whose hand is the soul of every living thing, and the breath of all mankind.
In whose hand is the soul of every living thing, and the breath of all mankind. —
11 Does not the ear try words? and the mouth taste his meat?
Doth not the ear try words, even as the palate tasteth its food?
12 With the ancient is wisdom; and in length of days understanding.
Is wisdom with aged men, and understanding in length of days? —
13 With him is wisdom and strength, he has counsel and understanding.
With Him is wisdom and might; He hath counsel and understanding.
14 Behold, he breaks down, and it cannot be built again: he shuts up a man, and there can be no opening.
Behold, He breaketh down, and it cannot be built again; He shutteth up a man, and there can be no opening.
15 Behold, he withholds the waters, and they dry up: also he sends them out, and they overturn the earth.
Behold, He withholdeth the waters, and they dry up; also He sendeth them out, and they overturn the earth.
16 With him is strength and wisdom: the deceived and the deceiver are his.
With Him is strength and sound wisdom; the deceived and the deceiver are His.
17 He leads counsellors away spoiled, and makes the judges fools.
He leadeth counsellors away stripped, and judges maketh He fools.
18 He looses the bond of kings, and girds their loins with a girdle.
He looseth the bond of kings, and bindeth their loins with a girdle.
19 He leads princes away spoiled, and overthrows the mighty.
He leadeth priests away stripped, and overthroweth the mighty.
20 He removes away the speech of the trusty, and takes away the understanding of the aged.
He removeth the speech of men of trust, and taketh away the sense of the elders.
21 He pours contempt on princes, and weakens the strength of the mighty.
He poureth contempt upon princes, and looseth the belt of the strong.
22 He discovers deep things out of darkness, and brings out to light the shadow of death.
He uncovereth deep things out of darkness, and bringeth out to light the shadow of death.
23 He increases the nations, and destroys them: he enlarges the nations, and straitens them again.
He increaseth the nations, and destroyeth them; He enlargeth the nations, and leadeth them away.
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 taketh away the heart of the chiefs of the people of the land, and causeth them to wander in a wilderness where there is no way.
25 They grope in the dark without light, and he makes them to stagger like a drunken man.
They grope in the dark without light, and He maketh them to stagger like a drunken man.

< Job 12 >