< Job 12 >
1 Then Job, answering, said:
When Job answered, and said:
2 Are you, therefore, alone among men, and will wisdom die with you?
Are you then men alone, and shall wisdom die with you?
3 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?
I also have a heart as well as you: for who is ignorant of these things, which you know?
4 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.
He that is mocked by his friends as I, shall call upon God and he will hear him: for the simplicity of the just man is laughed to scorn.
5 The lamp that is despised in the thoughts of the rich is ready for the appointed time.
The lamp despised in the thoughts of the rich, is ready for the time appointed.
6 The tabernacles of robbers are numerous, and they provoke God boldly; whereas, it is he who has given all things into their hands.
The tabernacles of robbers abound, and they provoke God boldly; whereas it is he that hath given all into their hands:
7 In truth, ask the mules, and they will teach you, and the birds of the sky, and they will reveal to you.
But ask now the beasts, and they shall teach thee: and the birds of the air, and they shall tell thee.
8 Speak with the earth, and it will respond to you, and the fish of the sea will explain.
Speak to the earth, and it shall answer thee: and the fishes of the sea shall tell.
9 Who is ignorant that the hand of the Lord has made all these things?
Who is ignorant that the hand of the Lord hath made all these things?
10 In his hand is the soul of all the living and the spirit of all the flesh of mankind.
In whose hand is the soul of every living thing, and the spirit of all flesh of man.
11 Does not the ear perceive words, and the palate, when eating, perceive flavor?
Doth not the ear discern words, and the palate of him that eateth, the taste?
12 In old age is wisdom, and in length of days is prudence.
In the ancient is wisdom, and in length of days prudence.
13 With him is wisdom and strength, he has counsel and understanding.
With him is wisdom and strength, he hath counsel and understanding.
14 If he tears down, there is no one who can build up; if he encloses a man, there is no one who can open.
If he pull down, there is no man that can build up: if he shut up a. man, there is none that can open.
15 If he restrains the waters, everything will dry up; and if he sends them forth, they will subdue the land.
If he withhold the waters, all things shall be dried up: and if he send them out, they shall overturn the earth.
16 With him is strength and wisdom; he knows both the deceiver and he who is deceived.
With him is strength and wisdom: he knoweth both the deceiver, and him that is deceived.
17 He leads advisors to a foolish end and judges to stupidity.
He bringeth counsellors to a foolish end, and judges to insensibility.
18 He removes the belt of kings and encircles their waist with a rope.
He looseth the belt of kings, and girdeth their loins with a cord.
19 He leads away priests in dishonor and displaces nobles,
He leadeth away priests without glory, and overthroweth nobles.
20 altering the lips of those who speak the truth and sweeping away the teaching of the aged.
He changeth the speech of the true speakers, and taketh away the doctrine of the aged.
21 He pours disdain upon the leaders, relieving those who had been oppressed.
He poureth contempt upon princes, and relieveth them that were oppressed.
22 He reveals the depths of the darkness, and he brings the shadow of death into the light.
He discovereth deep things out of darkness, and bringeth up to light the shadow of death.
23 He multiplies peoples, and destroys them, and, having been overthrown, he restores them anew.
He multiplieth nations, and destroyeth them, and restoreth them again after they were overthrown.
24 He transforms the heart of the leaders of the people on earth, and misleads those who in vain advance upon the inviolable.
He changeth the heart of the princes of the people of the earth, and deceiveth them that they walk in vain where there is no way.
25 They will grope as in the darkness, not the light, and he will make them stagger like drunkards.
They shall grope as in the dark, and not in the light, and he shall make them stagger like men that are drunk.