Then Job – answered: “Truly then you are the people with whom wisdom itself will die! But I also have a mind; – I am not inferior to you. – Who does not know such things as these? I am a laughingstock to my friends, though I called on God, and He answered. The righteous and upright man is a laughingstock. The one at ease scorns misfortune as the fate – of those whose feet are slipping. The tents of robbers are safe, and those who provoke God – are secure— those who carry their god in their hands. But ask – the animals, and they will instruct you; ask the birds of the air, and they will tell you. Or speak to the earth, and it will teach you; let the fish of the sea inform you. Which of all these does not know that the hand of the LORD has done this? – The life of every living thing is in His hand, as well as the breath of all mankind. Does not the ear test words as the tongue tastes its food? Wisdom is found with the elderly, and understanding comes with long life. Wisdom and strength – belong to God; counsel and understanding are His. What He tears down cannot be rebuilt; the man He imprisons – cannot be released. If He holds back the waters, they dry up, and if He releases them, they overwhelm the land. True wisdom – and power belong to Him. The deceived and the deceiver are His. He leads counselors away barefoot and makes fools of judges. He loosens the bonds placed by kings and fastens a belt around their waists. He leads priests away barefoot and overthrows the established. He deprives the trusted of speech and takes away the discernment of elders. He pours out contempt on nobles and disarms – the mighty. He reveals the deep things of darkness and brings deep shadows into light. He makes nations great and destroys them; He enlarges nations, then disperses them. He deprives the earth’s leaders – of reason and makes them wander in a trackless – wasteland. They grope in the darkness without light; He makes them stagger like drunkards. “Indeed, my eyes have seen all this; my ears have heard and understood. – What you know, I also know; I am not inferior to you. Yet I desire to speak to the Almighty and argue my case before God. You, however, smear with lies; you are all worthless physicians. If only – you would remain silent; for that would be your wisdom! Hear now my argument, and listen to the plea of my lips. Will you speak wickedly – on God’s behalf or speak deceitfully for Him? Would you show Him partiality – or argue in His defense? Would it be well when He examined you -? Could you deceive Him like a man? Surely He would rebuke you – if you secretly showed partiality. Would His majesty not terrify you? Would the dread of Him not fall upon you? Your maxims are proverbs of ashes; your defenses are defenses of clay. Be silent, – and I will speak. Then let come to me what may. Why – do I put myself at risk – and take my life in my own hands? Though He slay me, – I will hope in Him. I will still defend my ways to His face. Moreover, this will be my salvation, for no godless man can appear before Him. Listen carefully to my words; let my declaration ring in your ears. Behold, now that I have prepared my case, I know that I will be vindicated. Can anyone – indict me? If so, I will be silent and die. Only grant these two – things to me, so that I need not hide from You: Withdraw Your hand from me, and do not let Your terror frighten me. Then call me, and I will answer, or let me speak, and You can reply. How many are my iniquities and sins? Reveal to me my transgression and sin. Why do You hide Your face and consider me as Your enemy? Would You frighten – a windblown leaf? Would You chase after dry chaff? For You record bitter accusations against me and bequeath to me the iniquities of my youth. You put my feet in the stocks and stand watch over all my paths; You set a limit for the soles of my feet. So man wastes away like something rotten, like a moth-eaten – garment.
Job 12-13