⁷ “But^[a] ask^[b] the animals, and they will teach you,
and the birds of the heaven, and they will tell you;
⁸ or ask the earth, and it will teach you,
and the fishes of the sea will declare to you.
⁹ Who among all of these does not know
that Yahweh’s hand has done this?
¹⁰ In whose hand is the life of all living things
and the breath of every human being?^[c]
11 Does not the ear test words
and the palate taste food for itself?
¹² Wisdom is with the aged,
and understanding is in length of days.
¹³ “With him are wisdom and powerful deeds,
and to him belong counsel and understanding.
¹⁴ If he tears down, then^[d] it will not be rebuilt;
if he shuts a man in, then^[e] he cannot be freed.
¹⁵ Look, if he withholds the water,^[f] then^[g] they dry up;
and if he sends them out, then^[h] they overwhelm the land.
¹⁶ “Strength and sound wisdom are with him;
the deceived and the deceiver are his.^[i]