2
No doubt[H551] but ye are the people[H5971], and wisdom[H2451] shall die[H4191] with you.
3But[H1571] I have understanding[H3824] as well as you; I am not inferior[H5307] to you: yea, who knoweth not such things[H3644] as these?
4
I am as one mocked[H7814] of his neighbour[H7453], who calleth[H7121] upon God[H433], and he answereth[H6030] him: the just[H6662]upright[H8549] man is laughed to scorn[H7814].
5
He that is ready[H3559] to slip[H4571] with his feet[H7272] is as a lamp[H3940]despised[H937] in the thought[H6248] of him that is at ease[H7600].
6
The tabernacles[H168] of robbers[H7703]prosper[H7951], and they that provoke[H7264]God[H410] are secure[H987]; into whose hand[H3027]God[H433]bringeth[H935] abundantly.
7But[H199]ask[H7592] now the beasts[H929], and they shall teach[H3384] thee; and the fowls[H5775] of the air[H8064], and they shall tell[H5046] thee:
8
Or speak[H7878] to the earth[H776], and it shall teach[H3384] thee: and the fishes[H1709] of the sea[H3220] shall declare[H5608] unto thee.
9
Who knoweth[H3045] not in all these that the hand[H3027] of the LORD[H3068] hath wrought[H6213] this?
10
In whose hand[H3027] is the soul[H5315] of every living thing[H2416], and the breath[H7307] of all mankind[H376].
11
Doth not the ear[H241]try[H974]words?[H4405] and the mouth[H2441]taste[H2938] his meat?[H400]
12
With the ancient[H3453] is wisdom[H2451]; and in length[H753] of days[H3117]understanding[H8394].
13
With him is wisdom[H2451] and strength[H1369], he hath counsel[H6098] and understanding[H8394].
14
Behold, he breaketh down[H2040], and it cannot be built again[H1129]: he shutteth up[H5462] a man[H376], and there can be no opening[H6605].
15
Behold, he withholdeth[H6113] the waters[H4325], and they dry up[H3001]: also he sendeth them out[H7971], and they overturn[H2015] the earth[H776].
16
With him is strength[H5797] and wisdom[H8454]: the deceived[H7683] and the deceiver[H7686] are his.
17
He leadeth[H3212]counsellors[H3289] away spoiled[H7758], and maketh the judges[H8199]fools[H1984].
18
He looseth[H6605] the bond[H4148] of kings[H4428], and girdeth[H631] their loins[H4975] with a girdle[H232].
19
He leadeth[H3212]princes[H3548] away spoiled[H7758], and overthroweth[H5557] the mighty[H386].
20
He removeth away[H5493] the speech[H8193] of the trusty[H539], and taketh away[H3947] the understanding[H2940] of the aged[H2205].
21
He poureth[H8210]contempt[H937] upon princes[H5081], and weakeneth[H7503] the strength[H4206] of the mighty[H650].
22
He discovereth[H1540] deep things[H6013]out[H3318] of darkness[H2822], and bringeth out[H3318] to light[H216] the shadow of death[H6757].
23
He increaseth[H7679] the nations[H1471], and destroyeth[H6] them: he enlargeth[H7849] the nations[H1471], and straiteneth[H5148] them again.
24
He taketh away[H5493] the heart[H3820] of the chief[H7218] of the people[H5971] of the earth[H776], and causeth them to wander[H8582] in a wilderness[H8414] where there is no way[H1870].
25
They grope[H4959] in the dark[H2822] without light[H216], and he maketh them to stagger[H8582] like a drunken[H7910] man.