[1] And Job answers and says: [2] “Truly—you [are] the people, and wisdom dies with you. [3] I also have a heart like you, I am not fallen more than you, || And with whom is there not like these? [4] I am a laughter to his friend: He calls to God, and He answers him, || A laughter [is] the perfect righteous one. [5] A torch—despised in the thoughts of the secure || Is prepared for those sliding with the feet. [6] The tents of spoilers are at peace, || And those provoking God have confidence, || Into whose hand God has brought. [7] And yet, now ask [one of] the beasts, || And it shows you, || And a bird of the heavens, || And it declares to you. [8] Or talk to the earth, and it shows you, || And fishes of the sea recount to you: [9] Who has not known in all these, || That the hand of YHWH has done this? [10] In whose hand [is] the breath of every living thing, || And the spirit of all flesh of man. [11] Does the ear not try words? And the palate taste food for itself? [12] With the very aged [is] wisdom, || And [with] length of days [is] understanding. [13] With Him [are] wisdom and might, || To Him [are] counsel and understanding. [14] Behold, He breaks down, and it is not built up, || He shuts against a man, || And it is not opened. [15] Behold, He keeps in the waters, and they are dried up, || And He sends them forth, || And they overturn the land. [16] With Him [are] strength and wisdom, || His the deceived and deceiver. [17] Causing counselors to go away [as] a spoil, || Indeed, He makes fools of judges. [18] He has opened the bands of kings, || And He binds a girdle on their loins. [19] Causing ministers to go away [as] a spoil || And strong ones He overthrows. [20] Turning aside the lip of the steadfast, || And the reason of the aged He takes away. [21] Pouring contempt on princes, || And the girdle of the mighty He made feeble. [22] Removing deep things out of darkness, || And He brings out to light death-shade. [23] Magnifying the nations, and He destroys them, || Spreading out the nations, and He quiets them. [24] Turning aside the heart || Of the heads of the people of the land, || And He causes them to wander || In vacancy—no way! [25] They feel darkness, and not light, || He causes them to wander as a drunkard.”
