² “Doubtless you are the only people who matter,
    and wisdom will die with you!^(A)
3 But I have a mind as well as you;
    I am not inferior to you.
    Who does not know all these things?^(B)

⁴ “I have become a laughingstock^(C) to my friends,^(D)
    though I called on God and he answered^(E)—
    a mere laughingstock, though righteous and blameless!^(F)
5 Those who are at ease have contempt^(G) for misfortune
    as the fate of those whose feet are slipping.^(H)
6 The tents of marauders are undisturbed,^(I)
    and those who provoke God are secure^(J)—
    those God has in his hand.^[a]

⁷ “But ask the animals, and they will teach you,^(K)
    or the birds in the sky,^(L) and they will tell you;^(M)
8 or speak to the earth, and it will teach you,
    or let the fish in the sea inform you.
⁹ Which of all these does not know^(N)
    that the hand of the Lord has done this?^(O)
10 In his hand is the life^(P) of every creature
    and the breath of all mankind.^(Q)
11 Does not the ear test words
    as the tongue tastes food?^(R)
12 Is not wisdom found among the aged?^(S)
    Does not long life bring understanding?^(T)

¹³ “To God belong wisdom^(U) and power;^(V)
    counsel and understanding are his.^(W)
14 What he tears down^(X) cannot be rebuilt;^(Y)
    those he imprisons cannot be released.^(Z)
15 If he holds back the waters,^(AA) there is drought;^(AB)
    if he lets them loose, they devastate the land.^(AC)
16 To him belong strength and insight;^(AD)
    both deceived and deceiver are his.^(AE)
17 He leads rulers away stripped^(AF)
    and makes fools of judges.^(AG)
18 He takes off the shackles^(AH) put on by kings
    and ties a loincloth^[b] around their waist.^(AI)
19 He leads priests away stripped^(AJ)
    and overthrows officials long established.^(AK)
20 He silences the lips of trusted advisers
    and takes away the discernment of elders.^(AL)
21 He pours contempt on nobles^(AM)
    and disarms the mighty.^(AN)
22 He reveals the deep things of darkness^(AO)
    and brings utter darkness^(AP) into the light.^(AQ)
23 He makes nations great, and destroys them;^(AR)
    he enlarges nations,^(AS) and disperses them.^(AT)
24 He deprives the leaders of the earth of their reason;^(AU)
    he makes them wander in a trackless waste.^(AV)
25 They grope in darkness with no light;^(AW)
    he makes them stagger like drunkards.^(AX)

13 “My eyes have seen all this,^(AY)
    my ears have heard and understood it.
² What you know, I also know;
    I am not inferior to you.^(AZ)
3 But I desire to speak to the Almighty^(BA)
    and to argue my case with God.^(BB)
4 You, however, smear me with lies;^(BC)
    you are worthless physicians,^(BD) all of you!^(BE)
5 If only you would be altogether silent!^(BF)
    For you, that would be wisdom.^(BG)
6 Hear now my argument;
    listen to the pleas of my lips.^(BH)
7 Will you speak wickedly on God’s behalf?
    Will you speak deceitfully for him?^(BI)
8 Will you show him partiality?^(BJ)
    Will you argue the case for God?
⁹ Would it turn out well if he examined you?^(BK)
    Could you deceive him as you might deceive a mortal?^(BL)
10 He would surely call you to account
    if you secretly showed partiality.^(BM)
11 Would not his splendor^(BN) terrify you?
    Would not the dread of him fall on you?^(BO)
12 Your maxims are proverbs of ashes;
    your defenses are defenses of clay.^(BP)

⁴ For great is the Lord and most worthy of praise;^(H)
    he is to be feared^(I) above all gods.^(J)
5 For all the gods of the nations are idols,^(K)
    but the Lord made the heavens.^(L)
6 Splendor and majesty^(M) are before him;
    strength and glory^(N) are in his sanctuary.