Add parallel Print Page Options

12 When Job answered, and said:

Are you then men alone, and shall wisdom die with you?

I also have a heart as well as you: for who is ignorant of these things, which you know?

He that is mocked by his friends as I, shall call upon God and he will hear him: for the simplicity of the just man is laughed to scorn.

The lamp despised in the thoughts of the rich, is ready for the time appointed.

The tabernacles of robbers abound, and they provoke God boldly; whereas it is he that hath given all into their hands:

But ask now the beasts, and they shall teach thee: and the birds of the air, and they shall tell thee.

Speak to the earth, and it shall answer thee: and the fishes of the sea shall tell.

Who is ignorant that the hand of the Lord hath made all these things?

10 In whose hand is the soul of every living thing, and the spirit of all flesh of man.

11 Doth not the ear discern words, and the palate of him that eateth, the taste?

12 In the ancient is wisdom, and in length of days prudence.

13 With him is wisdom and strength, he hath counsel and understanding.

14 If he pull down, there is no man that can build up: if he shut up a. man, there is none that can open.

15 If he withhold the waters, all things shall be dried up: and if he send them out, they shall overturn the earth.

16 With him is strength and wisdom: he knoweth both the deceiver, and him that is deceived.

17 He bringeth counsellors to a foolish end, and judges to insensibility.

18 He looseth the belt of kings, and girdeth their loins with a cord.

19 He leadeth away priests without glory, and overthroweth nobles.

20 He changeth the speech of the true speakers, and taketh away the doctrine of the aged.

21 He poureth contempt upon princes, and relieveth them that were oppressed.

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

23 He multiplieth nations, and destroyeth them, and restoreth them again after they were overthrown.

24 He changeth the heart of the princes of the people of the earth, and deceiveth them that they walk in vain where there is no way.

25 They shall grope as in the dark, and not in the light, and he shall make them stagger like men that are drunk.

Job

12 Then Job replied:

“Doubtless you are the only people who matter,
    and wisdom will die with you!(A)
But I have a mind as well as you;
    I am not inferior to you.
    Who does not know all these things?(B)

“I have become a laughingstock(C) to my friends,(D)
    though I called on God and he answered(E)
    a mere laughingstock, though righteous and blameless!(F)
Those who are at ease have contempt(G) for misfortune
    as the fate of those whose feet are slipping.(H)
The tents of marauders are undisturbed,(I)
    and those who provoke God are secure(J)
    those God has in his hand.[a]

“But ask the animals, and they will teach you,(K)
    or the birds in the sky,(L) and they will tell you;(M)
or speak to the earth, and it will teach you,
    or let the fish in the sea inform you.
Which of all these does not know(N)
    that the hand of the Lord has done this?(O)
10 In his hand is the life(P) of every creature
    and the breath of all mankind.(Q)
11 Does not the ear test words
    as the tongue tastes food?(R)
12 Is not wisdom found among the aged?(S)
    Does not long life bring understanding?(T)

13 “To God belong wisdom(U) and power;(V)
    counsel and understanding are his.(W)
14 What he tears down(X) cannot be rebuilt;(Y)
    those he imprisons cannot be released.(Z)
15 If he holds back the waters,(AA) there is drought;(AB)
    if he lets them loose, they devastate the land.(AC)
16 To him belong strength and insight;(AD)
    both deceived and deceiver are his.(AE)
17 He leads rulers away stripped(AF)
    and makes fools of judges.(AG)
18 He takes off the shackles(AH) put on by kings
    and ties a loincloth[b] around their waist.(AI)
19 He leads priests away stripped(AJ)
    and overthrows officials long established.(AK)
20 He silences the lips of trusted advisers
    and takes away the discernment of elders.(AL)
21 He pours contempt on nobles(AM)
    and disarms the mighty.(AN)
22 He reveals the deep things of darkness(AO)
    and brings utter darkness(AP) into the light.(AQ)
23 He makes nations great, and destroys them;(AR)
    he enlarges nations,(AS) and disperses them.(AT)
24 He deprives the leaders of the earth of their reason;(AU)
    he makes them wander in a trackless waste.(AV)
25 They grope in darkness with no light;(AW)
    he makes them stagger like drunkards.(AX)

Footnotes

  1. Job 12:6 Or those whose god is in their own hand
  2. Job 12:18 Or shackles of kings / and ties a belt