Job 12
Job's Fourth Speech: A Response to Zophar
or
God is Great
based on Job 12
true wisdom and power are found in God
Job 12:13
Job 12:13
Then Job spoke again:
You're the smart ones, no doubt — know it inside and out.
And all wisdom will perish with you!
But I know things, you see; you're no better than me.
Do you think that your words are brand new?
To my friends I'm a joke: when I questioned, God spoke.
I am just — but a laughingstock, still.
Those at ease can't relate to the fortunes and fate
of the ones they have pushed down a hill.
But the thieves are at ease, scorning God is a breeze
since he keeps them secure in his hand.
Let the animals share with the birds in the air
and they'll give you the lay of the land.
Ask the earth for advice, let her teaching suffice;
and be schooled by the fish in the sea.
For their tales are the same: this calamity came
from the hand of the Lord upon me.
For his hand holds the breath of all life until death
of mankind and of all living beasts.
As the ear tests each word — every sound that is heard,
so the tongue tests the food at your feasts.
When we look for a sage we find wisdom with age,
understanding that years cannot dim.
Oh, but God is the source of true wisdom, of course,
understanding and might are from him.
Not a man can rebuild what God's torn down and stilled;
those imprisoned cannot be released.
If he holds back the rain, only deserts remain;
if let loose, then his floods are unleashed.
In him strength can be found, and his wisdom is sound;
both deceived and deceiver he rules.
He sends counsel away, their advice in decay,
and wise judges are made to be fools.
He discharges the kings of their robes and their rings;
led away with their chains in defeat.
And he leads priests away, stripped of rank and cachet;
overthrows the established elite.
He has silenced and hushed those positioned for trust
and the elders' discernment is gone.
His contempt has been placed on the nobles, disgraced,
and he's loosened the belt of the strong.
Deepest secrets concealed now have all been revealed,
bringing gloom into light of the day.
He makes nations of men and destroys them again;
builds them up, then he leads them away.
He strips kings of their sense, trading kingdoms for tents,
as he sends them through wastelands to roam.
In the end, without light, they're left groping like night,
and they stagger like drunks with no home.
And all wisdom will perish with you!
But I know things, you see; you're no better than me.
Do you think that your words are brand new?
To my friends I'm a joke: when I questioned, God spoke.
I am just — but a laughingstock, still.
Those at ease can't relate to the fortunes and fate
of the ones they have pushed down a hill.
But the thieves are at ease, scorning God is a breeze
since he keeps them secure in his hand.
Let the animals share with the birds in the air
and they'll give you the lay of the land.
Ask the earth for advice, let her teaching suffice;
and be schooled by the fish in the sea.
For their tales are the same: this calamity came
from the hand of the Lord upon me.
For his hand holds the breath of all life until death
of mankind and of all living beasts.
As the ear tests each word — every sound that is heard,
so the tongue tests the food at your feasts.
When we look for a sage we find wisdom with age,
understanding that years cannot dim.
Oh, but God is the source of true wisdom, of course,
understanding and might are from him.
Not a man can rebuild what God's torn down and stilled;
those imprisoned cannot be released.
If he holds back the rain, only deserts remain;
if let loose, then his floods are unleashed.
In him strength can be found, and his wisdom is sound;
both deceived and deceiver he rules.
He sends counsel away, their advice in decay,
and wise judges are made to be fools.
He discharges the kings of their robes and their rings;
led away with their chains in defeat.
And he leads priests away, stripped of rank and cachet;
overthrows the established elite.
He has silenced and hushed those positioned for trust
and the elders' discernment is gone.
His contempt has been placed on the nobles, disgraced,
and he's loosened the belt of the strong.
Deepest secrets concealed now have all been revealed,
bringing gloom into light of the day.
He makes nations of men and destroys them again;
builds them up, then he leads them away.
He strips kings of their sense, trading kingdoms for tents,
as he sends them through wastelands to roam.
In the end, without light, they're left groping like night,
and they stagger like drunks with no home.
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