"With him [are] wisdom and powerful deeds, and to him [belong] counsel and understanding.

If he tears down, then it will not be rebuilt; if he shuts a man in, then he cannot be freed.

He leads counselors away stripped, and he makes fools of judges.

"Strength and sound wisdom [are] with him; [the] deceived and [the] deceiver [are] his.

Look, [if] he withholds the water, then they dry up; and [if] he sends them out, then they overwhelm [the] land.

"He uncovers mysteries out of darkness, and he brings deep shadow to the light.

He leads priests away stripped, and he overthrows {the members of ancient families}.

He loosens [the] fetters of kings, and he binds a loincloth on their loins.

He pours contempt on noblemen, and he loosens [the] girdle of [the] mighty.

He deprives [the] trustworthy of speech, and he takes away [the] discretion of elders.

They grope [in] the dark {without} light, and he makes them stagger like a drunkard.

He strips [away] the insight of the heads of the earth's people, and he makes them wander in {a pathless wasteland}.

Wisdom [is] with [the] aged, and understanding [is in] length of days.

"Truly indeed you [are the] people, and wisdom will die with you.

He makes the nations great, then he destroys them; he expands the nations, then he guides them.

Then Job answered and said,

I am a laughingstock to my friends: '[He] calls on God, and he answers him.' A righteous, blameless man [is] a laughingstock.

Who among all of these does not know that Yahweh's hand has done this?

Does not [the] ear test words and [the] palate taste food for itself?

[The] tents of [the] destroyers are at peace, and [there is] security for those who provoke God, [for those] whom God brings into his hand.

{I also have insight} like you; I am not more inferior than you. And {who does not know things like these}?

{Those at ease have contempt} for [the] thought of {disaster}, [but it is] ready for those unstable of foot.

"But ask [the] animals, and they will teach you, and the birds of the heaven, and they will tell you;

In whose hand [is] the life of all living things and {the breath of every human being}?

or ask the earth, and it will teach you, and the fishes of the sea will declare to you.