[1] Then Job answered: [2] "Without a doubt you are the people, and wisdom will die with you. [3] I also have understanding as well as you; I am not inferior to you. Who does not know such things as these? [4] I am a laughingstock to my friends, I, who called on God and whom he answered-a righteous and blameless man is a laughingstock! [5] For calamity, there is derision (according to the ideas of the fortunate )-a fate for those whose feet slip. [6] But the tents of robbers are peaceful, and those who provoke God are confident-who carry their god in their hands. [7] "But now, ask the animals and they will teach you, or the birds of the sky and they will tell you. [8] Or speak to the earth and it will teach you, or let the fish of the sea declare to you. [9] Which of all these does not know that the hand of the LORD has done this? [10] In his hand is the life of every creature and the breath of all the human race. [11] Does not the ear test words, as the tongue tastes food? [12] Is not wisdom found among the aged? Does not long life bring understanding? [13] "With God are wisdom and power; counsel and understanding are his. [14] If he tears down, it cannot be rebuilt; if he imprisons a person, there is no escape. [15] If he holds back the waters, then they dry up; if he releases them, they destroy the land. [16] With him are strength and prudence; both the one who goes astray and the one who misleads are his. [17] He leads counselors away stripped and makes judges into fools. [18] He loosens the bonds of kings and binds a loincloth around their waist. [19] He leads priests away stripped and overthrows the potentates. [20] He deprives the trusted advisers of speech and takes away the discernment of elders. [21] He pours contempt on noblemen and disarms the powerful. [22] He reveals the deep things of darkness, and brings deep shadows into the light. [23] He makes nations great, and destroys them; he extends the boundaries of nations and disperses them. [24] He deprives the leaders of the earth of their understanding; he makes them wander in a trackless desert waste. [25] They grope about in darkness without light; he makes them stagger like drunkards.
