¹² But the witless can no more become wise
    than a wild donkey’s colt^(A) can be born human.^[a](B)

¹³ “Yet if you devote your heart^(C) to him
    and stretch out your hands^(D) to him,^(E)
14 if you put away^(F) the sin that is in your hand
    and allow no evil^(G) to dwell in your tent,^(H)
15 then, free of fault, you will lift up your face;^(I)
    you will stand firm^(J) and without fear.^(K)
16 You will surely forget your trouble,^(L)
    recalling it only as waters gone by.^(M)
17 Life will be brighter than noonday,^(N)
    and darkness will become like morning.^(O)
18 You will be secure, because there is hope;
    you will look about you and take your rest^(P) in safety.^(Q)
19 You will lie down, with no one to make you afraid,^(R)
    and many will court your favor.^(S)
20 But the eyes of the wicked will fail,^(T)
    and escape will elude them;^(U)
    their hope will become a dying gasp.”^(V)

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

⁴ “I have become a laughingstock^(Y) to my friends,^(Z)
    though I called on God and he answered^(AA)—
    a mere laughingstock, though righteous and blameless!^(AB)
5 Those who are at ease have contempt^(AC) for misfortune
    as the fate of those whose feet are slipping.^(AD)
6 The tents of marauders are undisturbed,^(AE)
    and those who provoke God are secure^(AF)—
    those God has in his hand.^[b]

⁷ “But ask the animals, and they will teach you,^(AG)
    or the birds in the sky,^(AH) and they will tell you;^(AI)
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^(AJ)
    that the hand of the Lord has done this?^(AK)
10 In his hand is the life^(AL) of every creature
    and the breath of all mankind.^(AM)
11 Does not the ear test words
    as the tongue tastes food?^(AN)
12 Is not wisdom found among the aged?^(AO)
    Does not long life bring understanding?^(AP)

¹³ “To God belong wisdom^(AQ) and power;^(AR)
    counsel and understanding are his.^(AS)
14 What he tears down^(AT) cannot be rebuilt;^(AU)
    those he imprisons cannot be released.^(AV)
15 If he holds back the waters,^(AW) there is drought;^(AX)
    if he lets them loose, they devastate the land.^(AY)
16 To him belong strength and insight;^(AZ)
    both deceived and deceiver are his.^(BA)
17 He leads rulers away stripped^(BB)
    and makes fools of judges.^(BC)
18 He takes off the shackles^(BD) put on by kings
    and ties a loincloth^[c] around their waist.^(BE)
19 He leads priests away stripped^(BF)
    and overthrows officials long established.^(BG)
20 He silences the lips of trusted advisers
    and takes away the discernment of elders.^(BH)
21 He pours contempt on nobles^(BI)
    and disarms the mighty.^(BJ)
22 He reveals the deep things of darkness^(BK)
    and brings utter darkness^(BL) into the light.^(BM)
23 He makes nations great, and destroys them;^(BN)
    he enlarges nations,^(BO) and disperses them.^(BP)
24 He deprives the leaders of the earth of their reason;^(BQ)
    he makes them wander in a trackless waste.^(BR)
25 They grope in darkness with no light;^(BS)
    he makes them stagger like drunkards.^(BT)

13 “My eyes have seen all this,^(BU)
    my ears have heard and understood it.
² What you know, I also know;
    I am not inferior to you.^(BV)
3 But I desire to speak to the Almighty^(BW)
    and to argue my case with God.^(BX)
4 You, however, smear me with lies;^(BY)
    you are worthless physicians,^(BZ) all of you!^(CA)