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12:1  Then Job responded:
12:2  Yes, indeed. You are the people, and wisdom will die with you!
12:3  But I understand things as well as you. I do not fall short of you. Who doesn’t know all these things?
12:4  But I am a laughingstock to my neighbor— I, who call on God, and he answers me— I, a righteous and complete man, am a laughingstock!
12:5  Those who are carefree do not worry about disaster. They think it is reserved for those whose feet are slipping.
12:6  The tents of raiders are undisturbed, and those who provoke God are secure— those who carry their god in their hand.
12:7  Please ask the animals, and they will teach you. Ask the birds of the sky, and they will inform you.
12:8  Complain to the earth, and it will teach you, and the fish of the sea will tell you about it.
12:9  Who among all these does not know that the hand of the Lord did this?
12:10  The life of every living thing is in his hand, as well as the breath in all human flesh.
12:11  Isn’t it true that the ear tests words and the palate tastes food?
12:12  Isn’t it true that wisdom is found among the aged and understanding among those who have had a long life?
12:13  But wisdom and power are with God. He gives guidance and understanding.
12:14  If he tears something down, it cannot be rebuilt. If he shuts a door on a man, it cannot be opened.
12:15  Look! He holds back the waters, and the land dries up. He turns them loose, and the earth is overwhelmed.
12:16  He has strength and sound judgment. The deceiver and the deceived both belong to him.
12:17  He causes royal advisors to be led away naked. He makes fools of judges.
12:18  He takes away the ruling power of kings, and he wraps a loincloth around their waist.
12:19  He causes priests to be led away naked, and he brings the pillars of society down to ruin.
12:20  He closes the lips of trusted advisors, and he takes away good judgment from elders.
12:21  He pours contempt on nobles. He loosens the belt of the strong.
12:22  He uncovers deep mysteries that were hidden in darkness. He brings the shadow of death into the light.
12:23  He raises nations to power, and then he destroys them. He enlarges nations, and then he leads them away captive.
12:24  He deprives the heads of the peoples of the earth of their reason. He makes them wander in a wild land where there are no roads.
12:25  They grope around in darkness, where there is no light. He causes them to wander aimlessly like drunks.