Job 12

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Job Answers His Friends

12 <1> Then Job answered them:

<2> "I'm sure you think you are

the only wise people left.

You think that when you die,

wisdom will be gone with you.

<3> But my mind is as good as yours.

You aren't any smarter than I am.

You haven't said anything

that people don't already know.

<4> "My friends laugh at me now.

They say,

'He prayed to God and got his answer.'

"I am a good man.

I am innocent,

but still they laugh at me.

<5> Those who have no troubles

make fun of those who do.

They hit a man when he is down.

<6> But robbers' tents are not bothered.

Those who make God angry live in peace,

even though God has them in his power.

<7> "But ask the animals,

they will teach you.

Or ask the birds of the air,

they will tell you.

<8> Or speak to the earth,

it will teach you.

Or let the fish in the sea

tell you their wisdom.

<9> Everyone knows the Lord made these things.

<10> Every animal that lives,

and everyone who breathes,

is under God's power.

<11> But just as the tongue tastes food,

the ears test the words they hear.

<12> [People say,]

'Wisdom is to be found in old people.

Long life brings understanding.'

<13> But wisdom and power belong to God.

Good advice and understanding are his.

<14> Anything God tears down cannot be rebuilt again.

Anyone he puts in prison cannot be set free.

<15> If God holds back the rain, the earth will dry up.

If he lets the rain loose, it will flood the earth.

<16> God is strong and always wins.

He controls those who fool others and those who are fooled.

<17> God strips advisors of their wisdom

and makes leaders act like fools.

<18> He strips kings of their authority

and makes them slaves.

<19> He strips priests of their power

and removes those who feel so secure in their position.

<20> God makes the trusted advisors be silent.

He takes away the wisdom of old people.

<21> He makes leaders unimportant.

He takes power away from rulers.

<22> God exposes even the darkest secrets.

He sends light into places that are as dark as death.

<23> God makes nations big and powerful,

and then he destroys them.

He makes nations grow large,

then he scatters their people.

<24> He makes leaders foolish.

He makes them wander aimlessly through the desert.

<25> They are like someone

feeling their way in the dark.

They are like drunks

who don't know where they are going.