Job 12  Easy-to-Read Version

² “I’m sure you think you are
    the only wise people left.
You think that when you die,
    wisdom will be gone with you.
³ But my mind is as good as yours.
    You aren’t any smarter than I am.
You haven’t said anything
    that people don’t already know.

⁴ “My friends laugh at me now.
    They say, ‘He prayed to God and got his answer.’
I am a good, innocent man,
    but still they laugh at me.
⁵ Those who have no troubles make fun of those who do.
    They hit a man when he is down.
⁶ But robbers’ tents are not bothered.
    Those who make God angry live in peace,
    even though God has them in his power.

⁷ “But ask the animals, and they will teach you.
    Or ask the birds of the air, and they will tell you.
⁸ Or speak to the earth, and it will teach you.
    Or let the fish in the sea tell you their wisdom.
⁹ Everyone knows
    that the Lord made these things.
¹⁰ Every animal that lives and everyone who breathes—
    they are all under God’s power.
¹¹ But just as the tongue tastes food,
    the ears test the words they hear.
¹² People say, ‘Wisdom is to be found in those who are old.
    Long life brings understanding.’
¹³ But wisdom and power belong to God.
    Good advice and understanding are his.
¹⁴ Anything God tears down cannot be rebuilt.
    Anyone he puts in prison cannot be set free.
¹⁵ If he holds back the rain, the earth will dry up.
    If he lets the rain loose, it will flood the land.
¹⁶ God is strong and always wins.
    He controls those who fool others and those who are fooled.
¹⁷ He strips advisors of their wisdom
    and makes leaders act like fools.
¹⁸ He strips kings of their authority
    and makes them slaves.
¹⁹ He strips priests of their power
    and removes those who feel so secure in their position.
²⁰ He makes trusted advisors be silent.
    He takes away the wisdom of the older leaders.
²¹ He brings disgrace to important people.
    He takes power away from rulers.
²² He exposes even the darkest secrets.
    He sends light into places that are as dark as death.
²³ God makes nations great,
    and then he destroys them.
He makes nations grow large,
    and then he scatters their people.
²⁴ He makes their leaders foolish.
    He makes them wander around in the desert.
²⁵ They are like someone feeling their way in the dark.
    They are like drunks who don’t know where they are going.