2Truly, you are the people, and wisdom shall die with you.

3But I have understanding as well as you; I am not inferior to you; but to whom are such things as these not known?

4And yet he who called upon God became ridiculous to his friends, and he answered him who is pleased with the righteous who are unblemished,

5Who is ready to do away with contempt and iniquity, and to strengthen the slippery feet.

6The tabernacle of robbers shall be removed, and the confidence of those who provoke God; for there is no God in their heart.

7But ask now the beasts, and they shall teach you; and the fowls of the air, and they shall tell you;

8Or speak to the earth, and it shall teach you; and the fishes of the sea shall declare to you.

9Who does not know in all these that the hand of the LORD has made them?

10Because in his hand are the souls of every living thing, and the breath of all mankind.

11The ear hears the words, and the palate tastes food.

12With the elders is wisdom; and in length of days, understanding.

13With him is wisdom and might, he has counsel and understanding.

14Behold, if he demolishes, who can build; and if he shuts up a man in prison, who can open?

15If he withholds the waters, they dry up; if he releases them they ruin the land.

16With him is strength and wisdom; with him is might and salvation.

17He leads kings amazingly, and makes judges fools.

18He brings kings down to beg at the gates, and girds their loins with girdles of power.

19He leads priests with reverence, and overthrows the mighty.

20He cancels the speech of trusty counsellors, and takes away the good judgment of elders.

21He pours contempt upon princes, and weakens the strength of the mighty.

22He uncovers deep things out of darkness, and brings the light out of the shadow of death.

23He causes the nations to err, and destroys them; he strikes down the nations, and forsakes them.

24He takes away the understanding of the chiefs of the people of the earth, and causes them to wander in a waste land where there is no way.

25They search in darkness without light, and they grope in darkness without understanding; and he makes them stagger like a drunken man.