Job 12

Job’s Fourth Speech: A Response to Zophar

12Then Job spoke again.H347H6030H5592"You people really know everything, don't you? And when you die, wisdom will die with you!H551H5971H2451H41913Well, I know a few things myself—and you're no better than I am. Who doesn't know these things you've been saying?H1571H3824H5307H36444Yet my friends laugh at me, for I call on God and expect an answer. I am a just and blameless man, yet they laugh at me.H7814H7453H7121H433H6030H6662H8549H78145People who are at ease mock those in trouble. They give a push to people who are stumbling.H3559H4571H7272H3940H937H6248H76006But robbers are left in peace, and those who provoke God live in safety—though God keeps them in his power.H168H7703H7951H7264H410H987H3027H433H9357"Just ask the animals, and they will teach you. Ask the birds of the sky, and they will tell you.H199H7592H929H3384H5775H8064H50468Speak to the earth, and it will instruct you. Let the fish in the sea speak to you.H7878H776H3384H1709H3220H56089For they all know that my disaster

has come from the hand of the LORD.H3045H3027H3068H621310For the life of every living thing is in his hand, and the breath of every human being.H3027H5315H2416H7307H376H132011The ear tests the words it hears just as the mouth distinguishes between foods.H241H974H4405H2441H2938H40012Wisdom belongs to the aged, and understanding to the old.H3453H2451H753H3117H839413"But true wisdom and power are found in God; counsel and understanding are his.H2451H1369H6098H839414What he destroys cannot be rebuilt. When he puts someone in prison, there is no escape.H2040H1129H5462H376H660515If he holds back the rain, the earth becomes a desert. If he releases the waters, they flood the earth.H6113H4325H3001H7971H2015H77616Yes, strength and wisdom are his; deceivers and deceived are both in his power.H5797H8454H7683H768617He leads counselors away, stripped of good judgment; wise judges become fools.H3212H3289H7758H8199H198418He removes the royal robe of kings. They are led away with ropes around their waist.H6605H4148H4428H631H4975H23219He leads priests away, stripped of status; he overthrows those with long years in power.H3212H3548H7758H5557H38620He silences the trusted adviser and removes the insight of the elders.H5493H8193H539H3947H2940H220521He pours disgrace upon princes and disarms the strong.H8210H937H5081H7503H4206H65022"He uncovers mysteries hidden in darkness; he brings light to the deepest gloom.H1540H6013H2822H3318H216H675723He builds up nations, and he destroys them. He expands nations, and he abandons them.H7679H1471H6H7849H1471H514824He strips kings of understanding and leaves them wandering in a pathless wasteland.H5493H3820H7218H5971H776H8582H8414H187025They grope in the darkness without a light. He makes them stagger like drunkards.H4959H2822H216H8582H7910