Job 12

1 Then Iob answered, and sayde,

And Job answered and said,

2 In deede because that ye are the people onely, wisedome must dye with you.

No doubt but all of you are the people, and wisdom shall die with you.

3 But I haue vnderstanding aswel as you, and am not inferior vnto you: yea, who knoweth not such things?

But I have understanding as well as you; I am not inferior to you: yea, who knows not such things as these?

4 I am as one mocked of his neighbour, who calleth vpon God, and he heareth him: the iust and the vpright is laughed to scorne.

I am as one mocked of his neighbour, who calls upon God, and he answers him: the just upright man is laughed to scorn.

5 Hee that is readie to fall, is as a lampe despised in the opinion of the riche.

He that is ready to slip with his feet is as a lamp despised in the thought of him that is at ease.

6 The tabernacles of robbers doe prosper, and they are in safetie, that prouoke God, whome God hath enriched with his hand.

The tabernacles of robbers prosper, and they that provoke God are secure; into whose hand God brings abundantly.

7 Aske now the beasts, and they shall teach thee, and the foules of the heauen, and they shall tell thee:

But ask now the beasts, and they shall teach you; and the fowls of the air, and they shall tell you:

8 Or speake to the earth, and it shall shewe thee: or the fishes of the sea, and they shall declare vnto thee.

Or speak to the earth, and it shall teach you: and the fishes of the sea shall declare unto you.

9 Who is ignorant of all these, but that the hande of the Lord hath made these?

Who knows not in all these that the hand of the LORD has wrought this?

10 In whose hande is the soule of euery liuing thing, and the breath of all mankinde.

In whose hand is the soul of every living thing, and the breath of all mankind.

11 Doeth not the eares discerne the words? and the mouth taste meate for it selfe?

Does not the ear try words? and the mouth taste his food?

12 Among the ancient is wisedome, and in the length of dayes is vnderstanding.

With the ancient is wisdom; and in length of days understanding.

13 With him is wisedome and strength: he hath counsell and vnderstanding.

With him is wisdom and strength, he has counsel and understanding.

14 Beholde, he will breake downe, and it can not be built: he shutteth a man vp, and he can not be loosed.

Behold, he breaks down, and it cannot be built again: he shuts up a man, and there can be no opening.

15 Beholde, he withholdeth the waters, and they drie vp: but when he sendeth them out, they destroy the earth.

Behold, he withholds the waters, and they dry up: also he sends them out, and they overturn the earth.

16 With him is strength and wisedome: hee that is deceiued, and that deceiueth, are his.

With him is strength and wisdom: the deceived and the deceiver are his.

17 He causeth the counsellers to goe as spoyled, and maketh the iudges fooles.

He leads counsellors away spoiled, and makes the judges fools.

18 He looseth the collar of Kings, and girdeth their loynes with a girdle.

He looses the bond of kings, and girds their loins with a girdle.

19 He leadeth away the princes as a pray, and ouerthroweth the mightie.

He leads princes away spoiled, and overthrows the mighty.

20 He taketh away the speach from the faithfull counsellers, and taketh away the iudgement of the ancient.

He removes away the speech of the trusty, and takes away the understanding of the aged.

21 He powreth contempt vpon princes, and maketh the strength of the mightie weake.

He pours contempt upon princes, and weakens the strength of the mighty.

22 He discouereth the deepe places from their darkenesse, and bringeth foorth the shadowe of death to light.

He discovers deep things out of darkness, and brings out to light the shadow of death.

23 He increaseth the people, and destroyeth them: he inlargeth the nations, and bringeth them in againe.

He increases the nations, and destroys them: he enlarges the nations, and straitens them again.

24 He taketh away the heartes of the that are the chiefe ouer the people of the earth, and maketh them to wander in the wildernes out of the way.

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.

25 They grope in the darke without light: and he maketh the to stagger like a drunken man.

They grope in the dark without light, and he makes them to stagger like a drunken man.