Job 12

Job’s Fourth Speech: A Response to Zophar ¹Then Job spoke again:

²“You people really know everything, don’t you? And when you die, wisdom will die with you! ³ Well, I know a few things myself— and you’re no better than I am. Who doesn’t know these things you’ve been saying? ⁴ Yet my friends laugh at me, for I call on God and expect an answer. I am a just and blameless man, yet they laugh at me. ⁵ People who are at ease mock those in trouble. They give a push to people who are stumbling. ⁶ But robbers are left in peace, and those who provoke God live in safety— though God keeps them in his power.

⁷“Just ask the animals, and they will teach you. Ask the birds of the sky, and they will tell you. ⁸ Speak to the earth, and it will instruct you. Let the fish in the sea speak to you. ⁹ For they all know that my disaster Hebrew that this. has come from the hand of the LORD. ¹⁰ For the life of every living thing is in his hand, and the breath of every human being. ¹¹ The ear tests the words it hears just as the mouth distinguishes between foods. ¹² Wisdom belongs to the aged, and understanding to the old.

¹³“But true wisdom and power are found in God; counsel and understanding are his. ¹⁴ What he destroys cannot be rebuilt. When he puts someone in prison, there is no escape. ¹⁵ If he holds back the rain, the earth becomes a desert. If he releases the waters, they flood the earth. ¹⁶ Yes, strength and wisdom are his; deceivers and deceived are both in his power. ¹⁷ He leads counselors away, stripped of good judgment; wise judges become fools. ¹⁸ He removes the royal robe of kings. They are led away with ropes around their waist. ¹⁹ He leads priests away, stripped of status; he overthrows those with long years in power. ²⁰ He silences the trusted adviser and removes the insight of the elders. ²¹ He pours disgrace upon princes and disarms the strong.

²²“He uncovers mysteries hidden in darkness; he brings light to the deepest gloom. ²³ He builds up nations, and he destroys them. He expands nations, and he abandons them. ²⁴ He strips kings of understanding and leaves them wandering in a pathless wasteland. ²⁵ They grope in the darkness without a light. He makes them stagger like drunkards.