12:1 Then Job answered:
12:2 “Doubtless, you are the people, and wisdom will die with you.
12:3 I also have understanding as well as you; I am not inferior to you. Who does not know such things as these?
12:4 I am a laughingstock to my friend, I, who called on God and whom he answered, — a righteous and blameless man is a laughingstock!
12:5 For calamity, there is derision (according to the ideas of the fortunate) — a fate for those whose feet slip!
12:6 But the tents of robbers are peaceful, and those who provoke God are confident — who carry their god in their hands.
12:7 “But now, ask the animals and they will teach you, or the birds of the air and they will tell you.
12:8 Or speak to the earth and it will teach you, or let the fish of the sea declare to you.
12:9 Which of all these does not know that the hand of the Lord has done this,
12:10 in whose hand is the life of every creature and the breath of all the human race.
12:11 Does not the ear test words, as the tongue tastes food?
12:12 Is not wisdom found among the aged? Does not long life bring understanding?
12:13 “With God are wisdom and power; counsel and understanding are his.
12:14 If he tears down, it cannot be rebuilt; if he shuts a person in, it cannot be opened.
12:15 If he holds back the waters, then they dry up; if he releases them, they destroy the land.
12:16 With him are strength and prudence; both the one who goes astray and the one who misleads are his.
12:17 He leads counselors away stripped and makes fools of judges.
12:18 He loosens the bonds of kings and binds a loincloth around their waist.