Job 12

1 Job replied,

Then Job answered and said,

2 “You really think you're special people, don't you? Obviously when you die, wisdom will die with you!

“No doubt you are the people; wisdom will die with you.

3 But I too have insights, and you're no better than me. Doesn't everyone know the things you've said?

But I have understanding as well as you; I am not inferior to you. Indeed, who does not know such things as these?

4 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.

I am something for my neighbor to laugh at— I, one who called on God and who was answered by him! I, a just and blameless man—I am now something to laugh at.

5 People who are comfortable have contempt for those who are in trouble, ready to push over those who are already slipping.

In the thought of someone who is at ease, there is contempt for misfortune; he thinks in a way that brings more misfortune to those whose foot is slipping.

6 Robbers live in peace, and those who make God angry live in safety, trusting their own strength as their ‘god.’

The tents of robbers prosper, and those who provoke God feel secure; their own hands are their gods.

7 But if you ask the animals they will teach you, the birds in the sky will tell you;

But now ask the beasts, and they will teach you; ask the birds of the heavens, and they will tell you.

8 ask the earth and it will teach you, and the fishes in the sea will tell you.

Or speak to the earth, and it will teach you; the fish of the sea will declare to you.

9 Which of all these doesn't know that the Lord has done this?

Which animal among all these does not know that the hand of Yahweh has done this?

10 He gives life to every living thing, life to all humankind.

In his hand is the life of every living thing and the breath of all mankind.

11 The ear distinguishes words just like the palate distinguishes foods.

Does not the ear test words just as the palate tastes its food?

12 Wisdom to distinguish belongs to the old, and the ability to rightly discriminate belongs to those with long experience.

With aged men is wisdom; in length of days is understanding.

13 God has wisdom and power, counsel and understanding belong to him.

With God are wisdom and might; he has counsel and understanding.

14 If he tears something down, nobody can rebuild it. If he imprisons someone, nobody can free them.

See, he breaks down, and it cannot be built again; if he imprisons someone, there can be no release.

15 If God holds back the waters, everything dries up; if he releases the waters, the earth floods.

See, if he withholds the waters, they dry up; and if he sends them out, they overwhelm the land.

16 He is mighty and victorious; both deceivers and those deceived are subject to him.

With him are strength and wisdom; people who are deceived and the deceiver are both in his power.

17 He leads counselors away stripped of their wisdom, he makes judges into fools.

He leads counselors away barefoot in sorrow; he turns judges into fools.

18 He removes the chains of office from kings and makes them wear loincloths.

He takes off the chain of authority from kings; he wraps a cloth about their waists.

19 He leads priests away stripped of their religious garments, he overthrows the powerful.

He leads priests away barefoot in sorrow and overthrows mighty people.

20 He takes away the advice of trusted advisors, he removes the discernment of the elders.

He removes the speech of those who had been trusted and takes away the understanding of the elders.

21 He pours scorn upon princes and takes away power from the strong.

He pours contempt upon princes and unfastens the belt of strong people.

22 He reveals what is hidden in darkness, and brings into the light the shadow of death.

He reveals the deep things of darkness and brings deep shadows into the light.

23 He makes nations great and he destroys them; he expands nations and ruins them.

He makes nations strong, and he also destroys them; He enlarges nations, and he also leads them along as prisoners.

24 He removes the understanding of rulers and makes them wander in the wilderness.

He takes away understanding from the leaders of the people of the earth; he causes them to wander in a wilderness where there is no path.

25 They grope around in the dark without a light. He makes them stagger like drunk people.

They grope in the dark without light; he makes them stagger like a drunk man.