Job 12:1-19 ▼

1 And Job answered and said,

2 “Truly it is that you? are the people, and wisdom will die with you?.

3 Also unto me is a heart like you?; I am not falling below you?. And with whom are not things like these?

4 I have become a laughingstock to his neighbor, one calling on God and He answered him, righteous and blameless—a laughingstock.

5 There is contempt for disaster in the thought of the secure, prepared for those slipping of foot.

6 The tents of robbers are at rest, and those disturbing God are secure—to the one who carries his god in his hand.

7 But ask now the beasts, and they will instruct you, and the birds of the heavens, and one will declare to you.

8 Or speak to the earth and it will instruct you, and the fish of the sea and they will recount to you.

9 Who among all these does not know that the hand of YHWH has done this—

10 in whose hand is the soul of every living thing, and the breath of all the flesh of man?

11 Does not the ear examine words, and the mouth taste food for itself?

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

13 With Him are wisdom and strength; unto Him are counsel and understanding.

14 Behold, He tears down, and it cannot be rebuilt; He closes up upon a man, and it cannot be opened.

15 Behold, He restrains the waters and they dry up, and He sends them forth and they overthrow the land.

16 With Him are strength and wisdom and unto Him are the deceived and the deceiver.

17 He leads away counselors barefoot, and judges He makes foolish.

18 The bond of kings He loosens, and He binds a waistband around their loins.

19 He leads away priests barefoot, and the established He overthrows.