12:2 “Undoubtedly, you are the voice of the people, and when you die, wisdom will die with you.
12:3 But I also have intelligence; I am not inferior to you in this regard. Who is ignorant of all these things?
12:4 “I have become a laughingstock to my friends, I whom God would answer when I called upon him; although I am innocent and just, he afflicted me.
12:5 Those who live untroubled lives scorn the misfortunes of others, the blows that strike those who are already staggering.
12:6 Yet the tents of robbers remain undisturbed, and those who provoke God sleep securely as well as those who make a god of their strength.
12:7 “But ask the animals, and they will teach you; ask the birds of the air, and they will inform you.
12:8 Ask the reptiles on earth, and they will instruct you, or let the fish of the sea enlighten you.
12:9 Which of all these is unaware that the hand of God has done this?
12:10 “In God’s hand is the soul of every living thing and the breath of all mankind.
12:11 Does not the ear test words as the palate tastes food?
12:12 Wisdom is found in the aged, and long life nourishes understanding.
12:13 “With God are wisdom and power; wise counsel and understanding are his.
12:14 If he tears down, no one can rebuild; anyone he imprisons cannot gain freedom.
12:15 If he holds back the waters, drought ensues; if he releases them, the land is overwhelmed.
12:16 Strength and wisdom are his; his too are the deceived and the deceivers.
12:17 “He deprives counselors of their wits and makes fools of judges.
12:18 He looses the sashes of kings and gives them only a waistcloth to cover their loins.
12:19 He forces priests to walk barefoot and overthrows those in positions of power.
12:20 He silences the lips of trusted counselors and deprives the aged of their power of discernment.
12:21 “He pours contempt on princes and disarms the powerful.
12:22 He unveils mysteries long obscured in darkness and brings their meaning to light.
12:23 He makes nations great and then destroys them; he enlarges nations and then reduces them to nothing.
12:24 He weakens the minds of the leaders of the earth and leaves them to wander in a trackless waste.
12:25 They grope their way in the darkness without light, staggering like drunken men.
Want to give us your feedback? Suggestions?
Would like to help?
Click here to become a Patreon. Entry level is FREE:
www.patreon.com/ScriptureAwakened Thank you!