Job 12
Chapter 12
Job’s Fourth Speech: A Response to Zophar
1 Then Job spoke again:
2 “You people really know everything, don’t you?
And when you die, wisdom will die with you!3 Well, I know a few things myself—
and you’re no better than I am.
Who doesn’t know these things you’ve been saying?4 Yet 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.5 People who are at ease mock those in trouble.
They give a push to people who are stumbling.6 But robbers are left in peace,
and those who provoke God live in safety—
though God keeps them in his power.7 “Just ask the animals, and they will teach you.
Ask the birds of the sky, and they will tell you.8 Speak to the earth, and it will instruct you.
Let the fish in the sea speak to you.9 For they all know
that my disastert has come from the hand of the LORD.10 For the life of every living thing is in his hand,
and the breath of every human being.11 The ear tests the words it hears
just as the mouth distinguishes between foods.12 Wisdom belongs to the aged,
and understanding to the old.13 “But true wisdom and power are found in God;
counsel and understanding are his.14 What he destroys cannot be rebuilt.
When he puts someone in prison, there is no escape.15 If he holds back the rain, the earth becomes a desert.
If he releases the waters, they flood the earth.16 Yes, strength and wisdom are his;
deceivers and deceived are both in his power.17 He leads counselors away, stripped of good judgment;
wise judges become fools.18 He removes the royal robe of kings.
They are led away with ropes around their waist.19 He leads priests away, stripped of status;
he overthrows those with long years in power.20 He silences the trusted adviser
and removes the insight of the elders.21 He pours disgrace upon princes
and disarms the strong.22 “He uncovers mysteries hidden in darkness;
he brings light to the deepest gloom.23 He builds up nations, and he destroys them.
He expands nations, and he abandons them.24 He strips kings of understanding
and leaves them wandering in a pathless wasteland.25 They grope in the darkness without a light.
He makes them stagger like drunkards.
JOB 12
Job's Reply to Zophar
You Think //You Are So Great
1 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!”tIf You Want To Learn
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.t
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 shames 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.
