Job 12

1 Then Job [the patriarch famous for his patience] answered [replied, made response, and said] [to his friends, in response to their words]: word study 2 “Truly [assuredly, without a doubt] then you are the people [a nation, a group of individuals] with whom [together with, in the company of] wisdom [skill, prudence, or good judgment] itself will die [come to an end, cease to exist]! word study 3 But I also [even, too] have a mind [heart, innermost being]; I am not [in no way] inferior [less wise, fallen] to you. Who [what person, anyone] does not [is not without] know [have understanding of, recognize] such things [these matters, truths] as these [like these, of this kind]? word study 4 I am a laughingstock [a mockery, object of scorn] to my friends [neighbors, companions], though I called [cried out, invoked] on God [Eloah, the one true God], and He answered [responded, dwelt with me]. The righteous [just, upright] and upright man [blameless, perfect] is a laughingstock [subject to mockery, scorn]. word study 5 The one [secure] at ease scorns [with contempt, despises] misfortune [calamity, trouble] as the fate [appointed time, destiny] of those whose feet [steps, path] are slipping [to slip, waver]. word study 6 The tents [tabernacles, nomad’s homes] of robbers [those who ruin and devastate] are safe [at rest, secure, prosperous], and those who provoke [tremble with, shake at] God [Eloah, the one true God] are secure [in safety, feeling safe and sound]— those who carry their god [strength, power, el] in their hands [an open hand; strength, a side or share]. word study 7 But [however, in contrast] ask [please, I pray] the animals [beasts, living creatures], and they will instruct [teach, show] you; ask [inquire of] the birds [fowls] of the air [heaven, the sky], and they will tell [declare, inform] you. word study 8 Or [as an alternative, if you wish] speak to the earth [the land, the ground], and it will teach [show, instruct] you; let the fish [sea creatures, aquatic life] of the sea [the ocean, the deep] inform [declare, tell] you. word study 9 Which [who is there that] of all [everything, every creature] these [things, creatures] does not know [is ignorant of, has not learned] that the hand [power, direction] of the LORD [Yehovah, the Lord God] has done [made, wrought] this [thing, work]? word study 10 The life [soul, living being] of every living thing [creature, being] is in His [God’s, divine] hand [power, direction], as well as the breath [spirit, life-giving air] of all mankind [humanity, flesh]. word study 11 Does not [or, doth not] the ear [organ of hearing] test [examine, prove] words [speech, language] as [in the same way that] the tongue [or, palate] tastes [perceives, savors] its food [nourishment, sustenance]? word study 12 Wisdom [prudence, good judgment] is found with the elderly [aged men, those with long experience], and understanding [insight, discretion] comes with long life [a length of days, many years]. word study 13 Wisdom [skill, prudence, or good judgment] and strength [might, power, or bravery] belong to God [the supreme Creator]; counsel [advice, plan, or purpose] and understanding [insight, intelligence, or discretion] are His. word study 14 What He [the Almighty, God] tears down [overthrows, destroys] cannot be rebuilt [restored, reestablished]; the man [individual, human being] He imprisons [shuts up, confines] cannot be released [set free, opened]. word study 15 If He [the Almighty, All-Powerful] holds back [restrains, withholds] the waters [liquid, source of refreshment], they dry up [wither, become parched], and if He releases [sends forth, unleashes] them, they overwhelm [overturn, flood] the land [earth, territory, region]. word study 16 True [genuine, authentic] wisdom [support, ability, or understanding, often implying sound knowledge or efficient wisdom] and power [strength, might] belong to Him [as His inherent attributes]. The deceived [one who has gone astray, sinned or erred] and the deceiver [one who leads others astray, intentionally or unintentionally] are His [under His authority, subject to His will]. word study 17 He leads [causing to go, guiding] counselors [wise guides, advisors] away [into captivity, stripped] barefoot [naked, without wisdom] and makes [renders, causes to be] fools [wildly acting, foolishly celebrating] of judges [those who govern, vindicate]. word study 18 He loosens [removes, undoes] the bonds [chains of office, discipline] placed by kings [rulers, monarchs] and fastens [binds, girds] a belt [girdle, loincloth] around their waists [loins, hips]. word study 19 He leads [causing to go, guiding] priests [spiritual leaders, ministers] away [into captivity, as a spoil] barefoot [stripped, without glory] and overthrows [perverts, subverts] the established [strong, mighty, permanent ones]. word study 20 He deprives [removes, takes away] the trusted [faithful, trustworthy ones] of speech [language, the power of expression] and takes away [removes, deprives] the discernment [understanding, judgment, taste] of elders [old, elderly, aged ones, those with life experience]. word study 21 He pours out [sheds, unleashes] contempt [disrespect, scorn] on nobles [princes, chiefs] and disarms [weakens, loosens the belt of] the mighty [strong, powerful ones]. word study 22 He reveals [uncovering, bringing to light] the deep things [profound, mysterious secrets] of darkness [spiritual or physical gloom, misery] and brings [to come out, emerge] deep shadows [the shadow of death, profound distress] into light [happiness, spiritual illumination, enlightenment]. word study 23 He makes [increases, causes to grow] nations [Gentile groups, large groups of people] great [to grow great, magnifying them] and destroys [perishes, leads to ruin] them; He enlarges [spreads out, expands] nations [Gentile groups, large groups of people], then [afterwards, later] disperses [leads captive, scatters] them. word study 24 He deprives [takes away, removes] the earth’s [land, territory] leaders [chiefs, princes, heads] of reason [understanding, heart, intellect] and makes them wander [causes them to stray, go astray] in a trackless [pathless, empty] wasteland [wilderness, desolate place, void]. word study 25 They grope [in the dark, without direction] in the darkness [a state of spiritual or moral gloom] without light [the absence of spiritual illumination]; He makes them stagger [to go astray] like drunkards [intoxicated, lacking spiritual sobriety]. word study