Job 12:7–16

⁷But ask the animals, and they will instruct you;

ask the birds of the air, and they will tell you.

⁸Or speak to the earth, and it will teach you;

let the fish of the sea inform you.

⁹Which of all these does not know

that the hand of the LORD has done this?

¹⁰The life of every living thing is in His hand,

as well as the breath of all mankind.

¹¹Does not the ear test words

as the tongue tastes its food?

¹²Wisdom is found with the elderly,

and understanding comes with long life.

¹³Wisdom and strength belong to God;

counsel and understanding are His.

¹⁴What He tears down cannot be rebuilt;

the man He imprisons cannot be released.

¹⁵If He holds back the waters, they dry up,

and if He releases them, they overwhelm the land.

¹⁶True wisdom and power belong to Him.

The deceived and the deceiver are His.