Job 12

1 And Job answered and said,Then Job answered and said, ✦

2 No doubt but ye are the people, and wisdom shall die with you.No doubt but ye are the people, And wisdom shall die with you. ✦

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

4 I am as one mocked of his neighbour, who calleth upon God, and he answereth him: the just upright man is laughed to scorn.I am as one that is a laughing-stock to his neighbor, I who called upon God, and he answered: The just, the perfect man is a laughing-stock. ✦

5 He that is ready to slip with his feet is as a lamp despised in the thought of him that is at ease.In the thought of him that is at ease there is contempt for misfortune; It is ready for them whose foot slippeth. ✦

6 The tabernacles of robbers prosper, and they that provoke God are secure; into whose hand God bringeth abundantly.The tents of robbers prosper, And they that provoke God are secure; Into whose hand God bringeth abundantly. ✦

7 But ask now the beasts, and they shall teach thee; and the fowls of the air, and they shall tell thee:But ask now the beasts, and they shall teach thee; And the birds of the heavens, and they shall tell thee: ✦

8 Or speak to the earth, and it shall teach thee: and the fishes of the sea shall declare unto thee.Or speak to the earth, and it shall teach thee; And the fishes of the sea shall declare unto thee. ✦

9 Who knoweth not in all these that the hand of the LORD hath wrought this?Who knoweth not in all these, That the hand of Jehovah hath wrought this, ✦

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

11 Doth not the ear try words? and the mouth taste his meat?Doth not the ear try words, Even as the palate tasteth its food? ✦

12 With the ancient is wisdom; and in length of days understanding.With aged men is wisdom, And in length of days understanding. ✦

13 With him is wisdom and strength, he hath counsel and understanding.With God is wisdom and might; He hath counsel and understanding. ✦

14 Behold, he breaketh down, and it cannot be built again: he shutteth up a man, and there can be no opening.Behold, he breaketh down, and it cannot be built again; He shutteth up a man, and there can be no opening. ✦

15 Behold, he withholdeth the waters, and they dry up: also he sendeth them out, and they overturn the earth.Behold, he withholdeth the waters, and they dry up; Again, he sendeth them out, and they overturn the earth. ✦

16 With him is strength and wisdom: the deceived and the deceiver are his.With him is strength and wisdom; The deceived and the deceiver are his. ✦

17 He leadeth counsellors away spoiled, and maketh the judges fools.He leadeth counsellors away stripped, And judges maketh he fools. ✦

18 He looseth the bond of kings, and girdeth their loins with a girdle.He looseth the bond of kings, And he bindeth their loins with a girdle. ✦

19 He leadeth princes away spoiled, and overthroweth the mighty.He leadeth priests away stripped, And overthroweth the mighty. ✦

20 He removeth away the speech of the trusty, and taketh away the understanding of the aged.He removeth the speech of the trusty, And taketh away the understanding of the elders. ✦

21 He poureth contempt upon princes, and weakeneth the strength of the mighty.He poureth contempt upon princes, And looseth the belt of the strong. ✦

22 He discovereth deep things out of darkness, and bringeth out to light the shadow of death.He uncovereth deep things out of darkness, And bringeth out to light the shadow of death. ✦

23 He increaseth the nations, and destroyeth them: he enlargeth the nations, and straiteneth them again.He increaseth the nations, and he destroyeth them: He enlargeth the nations, and he leadeth them captive. ✦

24 He taketh away the heart of the chief of the people of the earth, and causeth them to wander in a wilderness where there is no way.He taketh away understanding from the chiefs of the people of the earth, And causeth them to wander in a wilderness where there is no way. ✦

25 They grope in the dark without light, and he maketh them to stagger like a drunken man.They grope in the dark without light; And he maketh them to stagger like a drunken man. ✦