Job 12
1 And Job answers and says:
Job replied,
2 “Truly—you [are] the people, and wisdom dies with you.
“You really think you're special people, don't you? Obviously when you die, wisdom will die with you!
3 I also have a heart like you, I am not fallen more than you, And with whom is there not like 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 a laughter to his friend: He calls to God, and He answers him, A laughter [is] the perfect righteous one.
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 A torch—despised in the thoughts of the secure Is prepared for those sliding with the feet.
People who are comfortable have contempt for those who are in trouble, ready to push over those who are already slipping.
6 The tents of spoilers are at peace, And those provoking God have confidence, Into whose hand God has brought.
Robbers live in peace, and those who make God angry live in safety, trusting their own strength as their ‘god.’
7 And yet, now ask [one of] the beasts, And it shows you, And a bird of the heavens, And it declares to you.
But if you ask the animals they will teach you, the birds in the sky will tell you;
8 Or talk to the earth, and it shows you, And fishes of the sea recount to you:
ask the earth and it will teach you, and the fishes in the sea will tell you.
9 Who has not known in all these, That the hand of YHWH has done this?
Which of all these doesn't know that the Lord has done this?
10 In whose hand [is] the breath of every living thing, And the spirit of all flesh of man.
He gives life to every living thing, life to all humankind.
11 Does the ear not try words? And the palate taste food for itself?
The ear distinguishes words just like the palate distinguishes foods.
12 With the very aged [is] wisdom, And [with] length of days [is] understanding.
Wisdom to distinguish belongs to the old, and the ability to rightly discriminate belongs to those with long experience.
13 With Him [are] wisdom and might, To Him [are] counsel and understanding.
God has wisdom and power, counsel and understanding belong to him.
14 Behold, He breaks down, and it is not built up, He shuts against a man, And it is not opened.
If he tears something down, nobody can rebuild it. If he imprisons someone, nobody can free them.
15 Behold, He keeps in the waters, and they are dried up, And He sends them forth, And they overturn the land.
If God holds back the waters, everything dries up; if he releases the waters, the earth floods.
16 With Him [are] strength and wisdom, His the deceived and deceiver.
He is mighty and victorious; both deceivers and those deceived are subject to him.
17 Causing counselors to go away [as] a spoil, Indeed, He makes fools of judges.
He leads counselors away stripped of their wisdom, he makes judges into fools.
18 He has opened the bands of kings, And He binds a girdle on their loins.
He removes the chains of office from kings and makes them wear loincloths.
19 Causing ministers to go away [as] a spoil And strong ones He overthrows.
He leads priests away stripped of their religious garments, he overthrows the powerful.
20 Turning aside the lip of the steadfast, And the reason of the aged He takes away.
He takes away the advice of trusted advisors, he removes the discernment of the elders.
21 Pouring contempt on princes, And the girdle of the mighty He made feeble.
He pours scorn upon princes and takes away power from the strong.
22 Removing deep things out of darkness, And He brings out to light death-shade.
He reveals what is hidden in darkness, and brings into the light the shadow of death.
23 Magnifying the nations, and He destroys them, Spreading out the nations, and He quiets them.
He makes nations great and he destroys them; he expands nations and ruins them.
24 Turning aside the heart Of the heads of the people of the land, And He causes them to wander In vacancy—no way!
He removes the understanding of rulers and makes them wander in the wilderness.
25 They feel darkness, and not light, He causes them to wander as a drunkard.”
They grope around in the dark without a light. He makes them stagger like drunk people.
