12:2 "Truly, you are the people and wisdom will die with you!
12:3 Like you, I also have understanding. I'm not inferior to you; who doesn't know things like this?"
12:4 "I'm a laughingstock to my friends, someone who called on God. But then he answered this upright and blameless man, and I have become a laughingstock.
12:5 The carefree are thinking, 'I have contempt for misfortune,' Those who are about to stumble deserve it.
12:6 The tents of robbers are at rest, and those who provoke God are secure, that is, those who carry their god in their pocket.
12:7 "Ask the wild animals, and they'll teach you; the birds of the sky will tell you.
12:8 Or ask the green plants of the earth and they'll teach you; let the fish in the sea tell you.
12:9 Who among all of these doesn't know that the LORD's hand made them,
12:10 and that the life of every living thing rests in his control, along with the breath of every living human being?
12:11 The ear scrutinizes speech just as the palate tastes food."
12:12 "Wisdom may be found in the company of the aged. Understanding comes with longevity.
12:13 With God is wisdom and strength; counsel and understanding belongs to him.
12:14 When he tears down, nobody rebuilds; when he incarcerates, nobody escapes.
12:15 When he withholds water, rivers dry up; when he lets them loose, they'll flood the land.
12:16 "With God are strength and sound wisdom; both the deceived and those who deceive are responsible to him.
12:17 He leads counselors away naked; he turns judges into fools.
12:18 He strips away the authority of kings to punish and puts them in prison clothes instead.
12:19 He leads away the priests naked and overthrows the ruling class.
12:20 He keeps reliable advisors from speaking, and removes discernment from elders.
12:21 He pours contempt on nobles and embarrasses the mighty.
12:22 He uncovers the hidden dimensions from darkness, bringing what is in deep shadow to light.
12:23 He makes nations great, and then destroys them; he enlarges nations, but then sends them away to captivity.
12:24 He withdraws understanding from national leaders of the world, causing them to wander through uncharted wilderness.
12:25 They grope in the dark without light; he causes them to stagger around like a drunkard."
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