[1] Job's reply: [2] "Yes, I realize you know everything! All wisdom will die with you! [3] Well, I know a few things myself-you are no better than I am. And who doesn't know these things you've been saying? [4] I, the man who begged God for help, and God answered him, have become a laughingstock to my neighbors. Yes, I, a righteous man, am now the man they scoff at. [5] Meanwhile, the rich mock those in trouble and are quick to despise all those in need. [6] For robbers prosper. Go ahead and provoke God-it makes no difference! He will supply your every need anyway! [7] "Who doesn't know that the Lord does things like that? Ask the dumbest beast-he knows that it is so; ask the birds-they will tell you; or let the earth teach you, or the fish of the sea. [10] For the soul of every living thing is in the hand of God, and the breath of all mankind. [11] Just as my mouth can taste good food, so my mind tastes truth when I hear it. [12] And as you say, older men like me are wise. They understand. [13] But true wisdom and power are God's. He alone knows what we should do; he understands. [14] "And how great is his might! What he destroys can't be rebuilt. When he closes in on a man, there is no escape. [15] He withholds the rain, and the earth becomes a desert; he sends the storms and floods the ground. [16] Yes, with him is strength and wisdom. Deceivers and deceived are both his slaves. [17] "He makes fools of counselors and judges. [18] He reduces kings to slaves and frees their servants. [19] Priests are led away as slaves. He overthrows the mighty. [20] He takes away the voice of orators and the insight of the elders. [21] He pours contempt upon princes and weakens the strong. [22] He floods the darkness with light, even the dark shadow of death. [23] He raises up a nation and then destroys it. He makes it great, and then reduces it to nothing. [24] He takes away the understanding of presidents and kings, and leaves them wandering, lost and groping, without a guiding light.
