Job 12
1 And Job answered and said,
Then Job, answering, said:
2 No doubt but ye [are] the people, and wisdom shall die with you.
Are you, therefore, alone among men, and will wisdom die with you?
3 But I have understanding as well as you; I [am] not inferior to you: yes, who knoweth not such things as these?
And I have a heart just as you also do, and I am not inferior to you. For who is ignorant of these things, which you know?
4 I am [as] one mocked by his neighbor, who calleth upon God, and he answereth him: the just upright [man is] derided.
He who is mocked by his friends as I am, will call upon God, and he will listen to him because it is the sincerity of the just that is being mocked.
5 He that is ready to slip with [his] feet [is as] a lamp despised in the thought of him that is at ease.
The lamp that is despised in the thoughts of the rich is ready for the appointed time.
6 The tabernacles of robbers prosper, and they that provoke God are secure; into whose hand God bringeth [abundantly].
The tabernacles of robbers are numerous, and they provoke God boldly; whereas, it is he who has given all things into their hands.
7 But ask now the beasts, and they shall teach thee; and the fowls of the air, and they shall tell thee:
In truth, ask the mules, and they will teach you, and the birds of the sky, and they will reveal to you.
8 Or speak to the earth, and it shall teach thee: and the fishes of the sea shall declare to thee.
Speak with the earth, and it will respond to you, and the fish of the sea will explain.
9 Who knoweth not in all these that the hand of the LORD hath wrought this?
Who is ignorant that the hand of the Lord has made all these things?
10 In whose hand [is] the soul of every living thing, and the breath of all mankind.
In his hand is the soul of all the living and the spirit of all the flesh of mankind.
11 Doth not the ear try words? and the mouth taste its food?
Does not the ear perceive words, and the palate, when eating, perceive flavor?
12 With the ancient [is] wisdom; and in length of days understanding.
In old age is wisdom, and in length of days is prudence.
13 With him [is] wisdom and strength, he hath counsel and understanding.
With him is wisdom and strength, he has counsel and understanding.
14 Behold, he breaketh down, and it cannot be built again: he shutteth up a man, and there can be no opening.
If he tears down, there is no one who can build up; if he encloses a man, there is no one who can open.
15 Behold, he withholdeth the waters, and they dry up: also he sendeth them out, and they overturn the earth.
If he restrains the waters, everything will dry up; and if he sends them forth, they will subdue the land.
16 With him [is] strength and wisdom: the deceived and the deceiver [are] his.
With him is strength and wisdom; he knows both the deceiver and he who is deceived.
17 He leadeth counselors away spoiled, and maketh the judges fools.
He leads advisors to a foolish end and judges to stupidity.
18 He looseth the bond of kings, and girdeth their loins with a girdle.
He removes the belt of kings and encircles their waist with a rope.
19 He leadeth princes away spoiled, and overthroweth the mighty.
He leads away priests in dishonor and displaces nobles,
20 He removeth away the speech of the trusty, and taketh away the understanding of the aged.
altering the lips of those who speak the truth and sweeping away the teaching of the aged.
21 He poureth contempt upon princes, and weakeneth the strength of the mighty.
He pours disdain upon the leaders, relieving those who had been oppressed.
22 He revealeth deep things out of darkness, and bringeth to light the shades of death.
He reveals the depths of the darkness, and he brings the shadow of death into the light.
23 He increaseth nations, and destroyeth them: he enlargeth nations, and straiteneth them [again].
He multiplies peoples, and destroys them, and, having been overthrown, he restores them anew.
24 He taketh away the heart of the chief of the people of the earth, and causeth them to wander in a wilderness [where there is] no way.
He transforms the heart of the leaders of the people on earth, and misleads those who in vain advance upon the inviolable.
25 They grope in the dark without light, and he maketh them to stagger like [a] drunken [man].
They will grope as in the darkness, not the light, and he will make them stagger like drunkards.
