1 Then Job replied ⌞to his friends⌟,
2 “You certainly are ⌞wise⌟ people,
3 Like you, I have a mind.
4 I am a laughingstock to my neighbors.
5 “A person who has an easy life has no appreciation for misfortune.
6 ⌞But⌟ robbers’ tents are prosperous,
7 “Instead, ask the animals, and they will teach you.
8 Or speak with the earth, and it will teach you.
9 What creature doesn’t know that the Lord’s hands made it?
10 The life of every living creature
11 Doesn’t the ear distinguish sounds
12 “Wisdom is with the ancient one.
13 God has wisdom and strength.
14 When he tears ⌞something⌟ down, it cannot be rebuilt.
15 When he holds back the waters, there is a drought.
16 “God has power and priceless wisdom.
17 He leads counselors away barefoot
18 He loosens kings’ belts
19 He leads priests away barefoot
20 He makes trusted advisers unable to speak
21 He pours contempt on influential people
22 He uncovers mysteries ⌞hidden⌟ in the darkness
23 He makes nations important and then destroys them.
24 He takes away the common sense of a country’s leaders
25 They grope in the dark with no light,