12:2 ‘No doubt you are the people, and wisdom will die with you.
12:3 But I have understanding as well as you; I am not inferior to you. Who does not know such things as these?
12:4 I am a laughing-stock to my friends; I, who called upon God and he answered me, a just and blameless man, I am a laughing-stock.
12:5 Those at ease have contempt for misfortune, but it is ready for those whose feet are unstable.
12:6 The tents of robbers are at peace, and those who provoke God are secure, who bring their god in their hands.
12:7 ‘But ask the animals, and they will teach you; the birds of the air, and they will tell you;
12:8 ask the plants of the earth, and they will teach you; and the fish of the sea will declare to you.
12:9 Who among all these does not know that the hand of the Lord has done this?
12:10 In his hand is the life of every living thing and the breath of every human being.
12:11 Does not the ear test words as the palate tastes food?
12:12 Is wisdom with the aged, and understanding in length of days?
12:13 ‘With God are wisdom and strength; he has counsel and understanding.
12:14 If he tears down, no one can rebuild; if he shuts someone in, no one can open up.
12:15 If he withholds the waters, they dry up; if he sends them out, they overwhelm the land.
12:16 With him are strength and wisdom; the deceived and the deceiver are his.
12:17 He leads counsellors away stripped, and makes fools of judges.
12:18 He looses the sash of kings, and binds a waistcloth on their loins.
12:19 He leads priests away stripped, and overthrows the mighty.
12:20 He deprives of speech those who are trusted, and takes away the discernment of the elders.
12:21 He pours contempt on princes, and looses the belt of the strong.
12:22 He uncovers the deeps out of darkness, and brings deep darkness to light.
12:23 He makes nations great, then destroys them; he enlarges nations, then leads them away.
12:24 He strips understanding from the leaders of the earth, and makes them wander in a pathless waste.
12:25 They grope in the dark without light; he makes them stagger like a drunkard.
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