King James Version of the Bible

Book of Job

Chapter 12

12:1

And Job answered and said,

12:2

No doubt but ye are the people, and wisdom shall die with you.

12:3

But I have understanding as well as you; I am not inferior to you: yea, who knoweth not such things as these?

12:4

I am as one mocked of his neighbour, who calleth upon God, and he answereth him: the just upright man is laughed to scorn.

12:5

He that is ready to slip with his feet is as a lamp despised in the thought of him that is at ease.

12:6

The tabernacles of robbers prosper, and they that provoke God are secure; into whose hand God bringeth abundantly.

12:7

But ask now the beasts, and they shall teach thee; and the fowls of the air, and they shall tell thee:

12:8

Or speak to the earth, and it shall teach thee: and the fishes of the sea shall declare unto thee.

12:9

Who knoweth not in all these that the hand of the LORD hath wrought this?

12:10

In whose hand is the soul of every living thing, and the breath of all mankind.

12:11

Doth not the ear try words? and the mouth taste his meat?

12:12

With the ancient is wisdom; and in length of days understanding.

12:13

With him is wisdom and strength, he hath counsel and understanding.

12:14

Behold, he breaketh down, and it cannot be built again: he shutteth up a man, and there can be no opening.

12:15

Behold, he withholdeth the waters, and they dry up: also he sendeth them out, and they overturn the earth.

12:16

With him is strength and wisdom: the deceived and the deceiver are his.

12:17

He leadeth counsellors away spoiled, and maketh the judges fools.

12:18

He looseth the bond of kings, and girdeth their loins with a girdle.

12:19

He leadeth princes away spoiled, and overthroweth the mighty.

12:20

He removeth away the speech of the trusty, and taketh away the understanding of the aged.

12:21

He poureth contempt upon princes, and weakeneth the strength of the mighty.

12:22

He discovereth deep things out of darkness, and bringeth out to light the shadow of death.

12:23

He increaseth the nations, and destroyeth them: he enlargeth the nations, and straiteneth them again.

12:24

He taketh away the heart of the chief of the people of the earth, and causeth them to wander in a wilderness where there is no way.

12:25

They grope in the dark without light, and he maketh them to stagger like a drunken man.