NRSV Job 12 Chapter
12:1
Then Job answered:
12:2
"No doubt you are the people, and wisdom will die with you.
12:3
But I have understanding as well as you; I am not inferior to you. Who does not know such things as these?
12:4
I am a laughingstock to my friends; I, who called upon God and he answered me, a just and blameless man, I am a laughingstock.
12:5
Those at ease have contempt for misfortune, but it is ready for those whose feet are unstable.
12:6
The tents of robbers are at peace, and those who provoke God are secure, who bring their god in their hands.
12:7
"But ask the animals, and they will teach you; the birds of the air, and they will tell you;
12:8
ask the plants of the earth, and they will teach you; and the fish of the sea will declare to you.
12:9
Who among all these does not know that the hand of the LORD has done this?
12:10
In his hand is the life of every living thing and the breath of every human being.
12:11
Does not the ear test words as the palate tastes food?
12:12
Is wisdom with the aged, and understanding in length of days?
12:13
"With God are wisdom and strength; he has counsel and understanding.
12:14
If he tears down, no one can rebuild; if he shuts someone in, no one can open up.
12:15
If he withholds the waters, they dry up; if he sends them out, they overwhelm the land.
12:16
With him are strength and wisdom; the deceived and the deceiver are his.
12:17
He leads counselors away stripped, and makes fools of judges.
12:18
He looses the sash of kings, and binds a waistcloth on their loins.
12:19
He leads priests away stripped, and overthrows the mighty.
12:20
He deprives of speech those who are trusted, and takes away the discernment of the elders.
12:21
He pours contempt on princes, and looses the belt of the strong.
12:22
He uncovers the deeps out of darkness, and brings deep darkness to light.
12:23
He makes nations great, then destroys them; he enlarges nations, then leads them away.
12:24
He strips understanding from the leaders of the earth, and makes them wander in a pathless waste.
12:25
They grope in the dark without light; he makes them stagger like a drunkard.