[1] Job's Reply to Zophar Job said to his friends: [2] You think you are so great, with all the answers. [3] But I know as much as you do, and so does everyone else. [4] I have always lived right, and God answered my prayers; now friends make fun of me. [5] It's easy to condemn those who are suffering, when you have no troubles. [6] Robbers and other godless people live safely at home and say, "God is in our hands!" [7] If you want to learn, then go and ask the wild animals and the birds, [8] the flowers and the fish. [9] Any of them can tell you what the LORD has done. [10] Every living creature is in the hands of God. [11] We hear with our ears, taste with our tongues, [12] and gain some wisdom from those who have lived a long time. [13] But God is the real source of wisdom and strength. [14] No one can rebuild what he destroys, or release those he has imprisoned. [15] God can hold back the rain or send a flood, [16] just as he rules over liars and those they lie to. [17] God destroys counselors, turns judges into fools, [18] and makes slaves of kings. [19] God removes priests and others who have great power- [20] he confuses wise, experienced advisors, [21] puts mighty kings to shame, and takes away their power. [22] God turns darkness to light; [23] he makes nations strong, then shatters their strength. [24] God strikes their rulers senseless, then leaves them to roam through barren deserts, [25] lost in the dark, staggering like someone drunk.
