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]

¹³ “To God belong wisdom^(A) and power;^(B)
    counsel and understanding are his.^(C)
14 What he tears down^(D) cannot be rebuilt;^(E)
    those he imprisons cannot be released.^(F)
15 If he holds back the waters,^(G) there is drought;^(H)
    if he lets them loose, they devastate the land.^(I)
16 To him belong strength and insight;^(J)
    both deceived and deceiver are his.^(K)
17 He leads rulers away stripped^(L)
    and makes fools of judges.^(M)
18 He takes off the shackles^(N) put on by kings
    and ties a loincloth^[a] around their waist.^(O)
19 He leads priests away stripped^(P)
    and overthrows officials long established.^(Q)
20 He silences the lips of trusted advisers
    and takes away the discernment of elders.^(R)
21 He pours contempt on nobles^(S)
    and disarms the mighty.^(T)
22 He reveals the deep things of darkness^(U)
    and brings utter darkness^(V) into the light.^(W)
23 He makes nations great, and destroys them;^(X)
    he enlarges nations,^(Y) and disperses them.^(Z)
24 He deprives the leaders of the earth of their reason;^(AA)
    he makes them wander in a trackless waste.^(AB)
25 They grope in darkness with no light;^(AC)
    he makes them stagger like drunkards.^(AD)