Job 12

1Job replied, 2“You really think you're special people, don't you?1 Obviously when you die, wisdom will die with you! 3But I too have insights, and you're no better than me. Doesn't everyone know the things you've said? 4But my friends laugh at me because I called on God and he answered me: the innocent man who does right has become an object of derision. 5People who are comfortable have contempt for those who are in trouble, ready to push over those who are already slipping. 6Robbers live in peace, and those who make God angry live in safety, trusting their own strength as their ‘god.’

7But if you ask the animals they will teach you, the birds in the sky will tell you; 8ask the earth and it will teach you, and the fishes in the sea will tell you. 9Which of all these doesn't know that the Lord has done this? 10He gives life to every living thing, life to all humankind. 11The ear distinguishes2 words just like the palate distinguishes foods. 12Wisdom to distinguish belongs to the old, and the ability to rightly discriminate belongs to those with long experience.3 13God has wisdom and power, counsel and understanding belong to him. 14If he tears something down, nobody can rebuild it. If he imprisons someone, nobody can free them. 15If God holds back the waters, everything dries up; if he releases the waters, the earth floods. 16He is mighty and victorious;4 both deceivers and those deceived are subject to him. 17He leads counselors away stripped of their wisdom, he makes judges into fools. 18He removes the chains of office from kings and makes them wear loincloths.5 19He leads priests away stripped of their religious garments, he overthrows the powerful. 20He takes away the advice of trusted advisors, he removes the discernment of the elders. 21He pours scorn upon princes and takes away power6 from the strong. 22He reveals what is hidden in darkness, and brings into the light the shadow of death. 23He makes nations great and he destroys them; he expands nations and ruins them. 24He removes the understanding of rulers7 and makes them wander in the wilderness. 25They grope around in the dark without a light. He makes them stagger like drunk people.”