[1] Yes, you are the voice of the people. When you die, wisdom will die with you. [3] But I have as much sense as you have; I am in no way inferior to you; everyone knows all that you have said. [4] Even my friends laugh at me now; they laugh, although I am righteous and blameless; but there was a time when God answered my prayers. [5] You have no troubles, and yet you make fun of me; you hit someone who is about to fall. [6] But thieves and godless people live in peace, though their only god is their own strength. [7] Even birds and animals have much they could teach you; [8] ask the creatures of earth and sea for their wisdom. [9] All of them know that the LORD's hand made them. [10] It is God who directs the lives of his creatures; everyone's life is in his power. [11] But just as your tongue enjoys tasting food, your ears enjoy hearing words. [12] Old people have wisdom, but God has wisdom and power. Old people have insight; God has insight and power to act. [14] When God tears down, who can rebuild, and who can free those God imprisons? [15] Drought comes when God withholds rain; floods come when he turns water loose. [16] God is strong and always victorious; both deceived and deceiver are in his power. [17] He takes away the wisdom of rulers and makes leaders act like fools. [18] He dethrones kings and makes them prisoners; [19] he humbles priests and men of power. [20] He silences those who are trusted, and takes the wisdom of old people away. [21] He disgraces those in power and puts an end to the strength of rulers. [22] He sends light to places dark as death. [23] He makes nations strong and great, but then he defeats and destroys them. [24] He makes their leaders foolish and lets them wander confused and lost; [25] they grope in the dark and stagger like drunkards.
