NET Bible

Job’s Reply to Zophar1

^12:1 Then Job answered:

^12:2 “Without a doubt 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 friends, 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.

Knowledge of God’s Wisdom18

^12:7 “But now, ask the animals and they will teach you, or the birds of the sky 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 his 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 imprisons a person, there is no escape. ^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 judges into fools. ^12:18 He loosens the bonds of kings and binds a loincloth around their waist. ^12:19 He leads priests away stripped and overthrows the potentates. ^12:20 He deprives the trusted advisers of speech and takes away the discernment of elders. ^12:21 He pours contempt on noblemen and disarms the powerful. ^12:22 He reveals the deep things of darkness and brings deep shadows into the light. ^12:23 He makes nations great and destroys them; he extends the boundaries of nations and disperses them. ^12:24 He deprives the leaders of the earth of their understanding; he makes them wander in a trackless desert waste. ^12:25 They grope about in darkness without light; he makes them stagger like drunkards.