^12:1 Then Job answered and said, ^12:2 No doubt but 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^*. Yes, who does not know such things as these?

    ^12:4 I am as a man who is a laughing-stock to his neighbor. I who called upon God and he answered. The just, the perfect man is a laughing-stock.

    ^12:5 In the thought of him who is at ease there is contempt for calamity. It is ready for those whose foot slips.

    ^12:6 The tents of robbers prosper and those who provoke God are secure. Into whose hand God brings abundantly.

    ^12:7 But ask now the beasts and they will teach you and the birds of the heavens and they will tell you. ^12:8 Or speak to the earth and it will teach you and the fishes of the sea will declare to you. ^12:9 Who does not know in all these, that the hand of Jehovah has worked this, ^12:10 in whose hand is the soul of every living thing and the breath of all mankind?

    ^12:11 Does not the ear try words, even as the palate tastes its food? ^12:12 With aged men is wisdom and in length of days understanding. ^12:13 With God is wisdom and might. He has counsel and understanding.

    ^12:14 Behold, he breaks down and it cannot be built again. He shuts up a man and there can be no opening. ^12:15 Behold, he withholds the waters and they dry up. Again, he sends them out and they overturn the earth.

    ^12:16 With him is strength and wisdom. The deceived and the deceiver are his. ^12:17 He leads counselors away stripped and he makes judges fools.^12:18 He loosens the bond of kings and he binds their loins with a belt. ^12:19 He leads priests away stripped and overthrows the mighty. ^12:20 He removes the speech of the trustworthy and takes away the understanding of the elders. ^12:21 He pours contempt upon nobles and weakens the strength of the strong.^12:22 He uncovers deep things out of darkness and brings out to light the shadow of death. ^12:23 He increases the nations and he destroys them. He enlarges the nations and he leads them captive.

    ^12:24 He takes away understanding from the chiefs of the people of the earth and makes them to wander in a wilderness where there is no way. ^12:25They grope in the dark without light and he makes them to wander around like a drunken man.