2No doubt but you^2f [are] the people, and wisdom shall die with you.

3But I have understanding as well as you; I [am] not inferior to you: yes, who knows not such things as these?

4I am [as] one mocked of his neighbour, who calls upon God-Elohim (The Living Word) [The Many Powered], and he answer him: the just upright [man is] laughed to scorn.

5He that is ready to slip with [his] feet [is as] a lamp despised in the thought of him that is at ease.

6The tabernacles of robbers prosper, and they that provoke God-Elohim (The Living Word) [The Many Powered] are secure; into whose hand God-Elohim (The Living Word) [The Many Powered] brings [abundantly].

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

8Or speak to the earth, and it shall teach youⁱ: and the fishes of the sea shall declare unto youⁱ.

9Who knows not in all these that the hand of the LORD-Yehovah (Messiah Pre-Incarnate) has wrought this?

10In whose hand [is] the soul of every living thing, and the breath of all mankind.

11Does not the ear try words? and the mouth taste his meat?

12With the ancient [is] wisdom; and in length of days understanding.

13With him [is] wisdom and strength, he has counsel and understanding.

14Behold, he breaks down, and it cannot be built again: he shuts up a man, and there can be no opening.

15Behold, he withholds the waters, and they dry up: also he send them out, and they overturn the earth.

16With him [is] strength and wisdom: the deceived and the deceiver [are] his.

17He leads counselors away spoiled, and makes the judges fools.

18He looses the bond of kings, and put on their waist with a belt.

19He leads princes away spoiled, and overthrows the mighty.

20He removes away the speech of the trusty, and takes away the understanding of the aged.

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

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

23He increases the nations, and destroys them: he enlarges the nations, and straitens them [again].

24He 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.

25They grope in the dark without light, and he makes them to stagger like [a] drunken [man].