English / ERV
Job 12
Easy-to-Read Version, 2006
- 1Then Job answered them:
- 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.
- 3But 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.
- 5Those who have no troubles make fun of those who do. They hit a man when he is down.
- 6But 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.
- 8Or speak to the earth, and it will teach you. Or let the fish in the sea tell you their wisdom.
- 9Everyone knows that the LORD made these things.
- 10Every animal that lives and everyone who breathes— they are all under God’s power.
- 11But just as the tongue tastes food, the ears test the words they hear.
- 12People say, ‘Wisdom is to be found in those who are old. Long life brings understanding.’
- 13But wisdom and power belong to God. Good advice and understanding are his.
- 14Anything God tears down cannot be rebuilt. Anyone he puts in prison cannot be set free.
- 15If he holds back the rain, the earth will dry up. If he lets the rain loose, it will flood the land.