Job 12

1 Then Job answered,NHEB — Job 12:1

2 "No doubt, but you are the people, and wisdom shall die with you.NHEB — Job 12:2

3 But I have understanding as well as you; I am not inferior to you. Yes, who doesn't know such things as these?NHEB — Job 12:3

4 I am like one who is a joke to his neighbor, I, who called on God, and he answered. The just, the blameless man is a joke.NHEB — Job 12:4

5 In the thought of him who is at ease there is contempt for misfortune. It is ready for them whose foot slips.NHEB — Job 12:5

6 The tents of robbers prosper. Those who provoke God are secure, who carry their god in their hands.NHEB — Job 12:6

7 "But ask the animals, now, and they shall teach you; the birds of the sky, and they shall tell you.NHEB — Job 12:7

8 Or speak to the earth, and it shall teach you. The fish of the sea shall declare to you.NHEB — Job 12:8

9 Who doesn't know that in all these, the hand of the LORD has done this,NHEB — Job 12:9

10 in whose hand is the life of every living thing, and the breath of all humankind?NHEB — Job 12:10

11 Doesn't the ear try words, even as the palate tastes its food?NHEB — Job 12:11

12 With aged men is wisdom, in length of days understanding.NHEB — Job 12:12

13 "With him is wisdom and might. He has counsel and understanding.NHEB — Job 12:13

14 Look, he breaks down, and it can't be built again. He imprisons a man, and there can be no release.NHEB — Job 12:14

15 Look, he withholds the waters, and they dry up. Again, he sends them out, and they overturn the earth.NHEB — Job 12:15

16 With him is strength and wisdom. The deceived and the deceiver are his.NHEB — Job 12:16

17 He leads counselors away stripped. He makes judges fools.NHEB — Job 12:17

18 He loosens the bond of kings. He binds their waist with a belt.NHEB — Job 12:18

19 He leads priests away stripped, and overthrows the mighty.NHEB — Job 12:19

20 He removes the speech of those who are trusted, and takes away the understanding of the elders.NHEB — Job 12:20

21 He pours contempt on princes, and loosens the belt of the strong.NHEB — Job 12:21

22 He uncovers deep things out of darkness, and brings out to light the shadow of death.NHEB — Job 12:22

23 He increases the nations, and he destroys them. He enlarges the nations, and he leads them captive.NHEB — Job 12:23

24 He takes away understanding from the chiefs of the people of the earth, and causes them to wander in a wilderness where there is no way.NHEB — Job 12:24

25 They grope in the dark without light. He makes them stagger like a drunken man.NHEB — Job 12:25