Job 12:1-17
English Standard Version
Chapter 12
1Then Job answered and said:
2"No doubt you are the people, and wisdom will die with you.
3But I have understanding as well as you; I am not inferior to you. Who does not know such things as these?
4I am a laughingstock to my friends; I, who called to God and he answered me, a just and blameless man, am a laughingstock.
5In the thought of one who is at ease there is contempt for misfortune; it is ready for those whose feet slip.
6 The tents of robbers are at peace, and those who provoke God are secure, who bring their god in their hand.
7"But ask the beasts, and they will teach you; the birds of the heavens, and they will tell you;
8or the bushes of the earth, and they will teach you; and the fish of the sea will declare to you.
9Who among all these does not know that the hand of the Lord has done this?
10In his hand is the life of every living thing and the breath of all mankind.
11Does not the ear test words as the palate tastes food?
12Wisdom is with the aged, and understanding in length of days.
13 "With God are wisdom and might; he has counsel and understanding.
14If he tears down, none can rebuild; if he shuts a man in, none can open.
15If he withholds the waters, they dry up; if he sends them out, they overwhelm the land.
16With him are strength and sound wisdom; the deceived and the deceiver are his.
17He leads counselors away stripped, and judges he makes fools.
