12:1
Then Job answered and said:

12:2
No doubt but ye are the people, and wisdom shall die with you.

12:3
But I have understanding as well as you; I am not inferior to you; yea, who knoweth not such things as these?

12:4
I am as one that is a laughing-stock to his neighbour, a man that called upon God, and He answered him; the just, the innocent man is a laughing-stock,

12:5
A contemptible brand in the thought of him that is at ease, a thing ready for them whose foot slippeth.

12:6
The tents of robbers prosper, and they that provoke God are secure, in whatsoever God bringeth into their hand.

12:7
But ask now the beasts, and they shall teach thee; and the fowls of the air, and they shall tell thee;

12:8
Or speak to the earth, and it shall teach thee; and the fishes of the sea shall declare unto thee;

12:9
Who knoweth not among all these, that the hand of the Lord hath wrought this?

12:10
In whose hand is the soul of every living thing, and the breath of all mankind.--

12:11
Doth not the ear try words, even as the palate tasteth its food?

12:12
Is wisdom with aged men, and understanding in length of days?--

12:13
With Him is wisdom and might; He hath counsel and understanding.

12:14
Behold, He breaketh down, and it cannot be built again; He shutteth up a man, and there can be no opening.

12:15
Behold, He withholdeth the waters, and they dry up; also He sendeth them out, and they overturn the earth.

12:16
With Him is strength and sound wisdom; the deceived and the deceiver are His.

12:17
He leadeth counsellors away stripped, and judges maketh He fools.

12:18
He looseth the bond of kings, and bindeth their loins with a girdle.

12:19
He leadeth priests away stripped, and overthroweth the mighty.

12:20
He removeth the speech of men of trust, and taketh away the sense of the elders.

12:21
He poureth contempt upon princes, and looseth the belt of the strong.

12:22
He uncovereth deep things out of darkness, and bringeth out to light the shadow of death.

12:23
He increaseth the nations, and destroyeth them; He enlargeth the nations, and leadeth them away.

12:24
He taketh away the heart of the chiefs of the people of the land, and causeth them to wander in a wilderness where there is no way.

12:25
They grope in the dark without light, and He maketh them to stagger like a drunken man.