Job 12

2You, forsooth, are men, and wisdom will die with you.

3But I indeed have understanding as well as you.

4For a just man and one irreprehensible hath been made a mocking stock.

5For it hath been ordered that for a time he shall fall beneath others: and that his houses shall be wasted by transgressors.

6Nevertheless let no wicked man indulge a confidence that he shall escape condemnation. Whoever provoke the Lord to anger, shall not they also undergo a trial?

8speak to the earth, if it could converse with thee—even the fishes of the sea can tell thee.

9Who then among all these doth not know that the hand of the Lord hath done these things?

10Is not the life of all living beings in His hand—and the breath of every man?

12By length of time wisdom is acquired; and by long life, experience.

14If He demolish, who can rebuild? If He shut against men, who can open?

15If He withhold water, He drieth the earth. And when He let it loose, he overthrew and destroyed it.

16With Him is strength and power—with Him knowledge and understanding.

17He hath led counsellors away captive, and confounded the judges of the earth.

18It is He Who settleth kings on thrones and girded their loins with a girdle—

19Who sendeth priests into captivity and overthrew the sovereigns of the earth—

20Who changeth the lips of liege men and knoweth the wisdom of elders—

21Who poureth contempt on princes and hath healed them who were low—

22Who revealeth deep things from darkness; and hath brought to light the shades of death—

23Who leadeth nations into error and destroyeth them— Who prostrateth nations and conducteth them—

24Who changeth the hearts of the rulers of a land and hath caused them to wander in a way which they knew not;

25that they might grope in darkness without light; and that they might stagger like a drunken man.