12:1 Then Job replied:
12:2 Doubtless you are the people, and wisdom will die with you!
12:3 But I have a mind as well as you I am not inferior to you. Who does not know all these things?
12:4 I have become a laughing-stock to my friends, though I called upon God and he answered a mere laughing-stock, though righteous and blameless!
12:5 Men at ease have contempt for misfortune as the fate of those whose feet are slipping.
12:6 The tents of marauders are undisturbed, and those who provoke God are secure those who carry their god in their hands. [Or secure in what God’s hand brings them]
12:7 But ask the animals, and they will teach you, or the birds of the air, and they will tell you
12:8 or speak to the earth, and it will teach you, or let the fish of the sea inform you.
12:9 Which of all these does not know that the hand of the LORD has done this?
12:10 In his hand is the life of every creature and the breath of all mankind.
12:11 Does not the ear test words as the tongue tastes food?
12:12 Is not wisdom found among the aged? Does not long life bring understanding?
12:13 To God belong wisdom and power counsel and understanding are his.
12:14 What he tears down cannot be rebuilt the man he imprisons cannot be released.
12:15 If he holds back the waters, there is drought if he lets them loose, they devastate the land.
12:16 To him belong strength and victory both deceived and deceiver are his.
12:17 He leads counsellors away stripped and makes fools of judges.
12:18 He takes off the shackles put on by kings and ties a loincloth [Or shackles of kings and ties a belt] round their waist.
12:19 He leads priests away stripped and overthrows men long established.
12:20 He silences the lips of trusted advisers and takes away the discernment of elders.
12:21 He pours contempt on nobles and disarms the mighty.
12:22 He reveals the deep things of darkness and brings deep shadows into the light.
12:23 He makes nations great, and destroys them he enlarges nations, and disperses them.
12:24 He deprives the leaders of the earth of their reason he sends them wandering through a trackless waste.
12:25 They grope in darkness with no light he makes them stagger like drunkards.