章 |
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.
|