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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1"><title>Job 12 Christian Standard Bible</title><link rel="stylesheet" href="/chapnew2.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="../spec.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/print.css" type="text/css" media="Print" /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var 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frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="../job/11.htm" title="Job 11">◄</a> Job 12 <a href="../job/13.htm" title="Job 13">►</a></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top">Christian Standard Bible</td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/p/csb/esv/job/12.shtml" style="color:#001320" title="Parallel Verses"> Par ▾ </a></tr></table></div><section epub:type="chapter" id="csb-Job.12" /><h3 class="head1">Job’s Reply to Zophar</h3><p class="noind"><span epub:type="z3998:verse" id="start-Job.12.1" /><A name="2"></a><span class="reftext"><a href="/job/12-1.htm"><b>1</b></a></span>Then Job answered:</p><blockquote class="poetryblock"><p class="poem"><span epub:type="z3998:verse" id="start-Job.12.2" /> <A name="3"></a><span class="reftext"><a href="/job/12-2.htm"><b>2</b></a></span>No doubt you are the people,</p><p class="poem">and wisdom will die with you!</p><p class="poem"><span epub:type="z3998:verse" id="start-Job.12.3" /> <A name="4"></a><span class="reftext"><a href="/job/12-3.htm"><b>3</b></a></span>But I also have a mind like you;</p><p class="poem">I am not inferior to you.</p><p class="poem">Who doesn’t know the things you are talking about?<a epub:type="noteref" href="#fn.Job.12.3.1"><span class="fnAlphabet">a</span></a> <a epub:type="noteref" href="#xrf.Job.12.3.1"><span class="xrfAlphabet">a</span></a></p></blockquote><blockquote class="poetryblock"><p class="poem"><span epub:type="z3998:verse" id="start-Job.12.4" /> <A name="5"></a><span class="reftext"><a href="/job/12-4.htm"><b>4</b></a></span>I am a laughingstock to my<a epub:type="noteref" href="#fn.Job.12.4.1"><span class="fnAlphabet">A</span></a> friends,</p><p class="poem">by calling on God, who answers me.<a epub:type="noteref" href="#fn.Job.12.4.2"><span class="fnAlphabet">B</span></a></p><p class="poem">The righteous and blameless man is a laughingstock.<a epub:type="noteref" href="#xrf.Job.12.4.1"><span class="xrfAlphabet">a</span></a></p><p class="poem"><span epub:type="z3998:verse" id="start-Job.12.5" /> <A name="6"></a><span class="reftext"><a href="/job/12-5.htm"><b>5</b></a></span>The one who is at ease<a epub:type="noteref" href="#xrf.Job.12.5.1"><span class="xrfAlphabet">a</span></a> holds calamity in contempt</p><p class="poem">and thinks it is prepared for those whose feet are slipping.</p><p class="poem"><span epub:type="z3998:verse" id="start-Job.12.6" /> <A name="7"></a><span class="reftext"><a href="/job/12-6.htm"><b>6</b></a></span>The tents of robbers are safe,<a epub:type="noteref" href="#xrf.Job.12.6.1"><span class="xrfAlphabet">a</span></a></p><p class="poem">and those who trouble God are secure;</p><p class="poem">God holds them in his hands.<a epub:type="noteref" href="#fn.Job.12.6.1"><span class="fnAlphabet">a</span></a> <a epub:type="noteref" href="#xrf.Job.12.6.2"><span class="xrfAlphabet">b</span></a></p></blockquote><blockquote class="poetryblock"><p class="poem"><span epub:type="z3998:verse" id="start-Job.12.7" /> <A name="8"></a><span class="reftext"><a href="/job/12-7.htm"><b>7</b></a></span>But ask the animals, and they will instruct you;</p><p class="poem">ask the birds of the sky, and they will tell you.<a epub:type="noteref" href="#xrf.Job.12.7.1"><span class="xrfAlphabet">a</span></a></p><p class="poem"><span epub:type="z3998:verse" id="start-Job.12.8" /> <A name="9"></a><span class="reftext"><a href="/job/12-8.htm"><b>8</b></a></span>Or speak to the earth, and it will instruct you;</p><p class="poem">let the fish of the sea inform you.</p><p class="poem"><span epub:type="z3998:verse" id="start-Job.12.9" /> <A name="10"></a><span class="reftext"><a href="/job/12-9.htm"><b>9</b></a></span>Which of all these does not know</p><p class="poem">that the hand of the L<span class="smallcaps">ord</span> has done this?<a epub:type="noteref" href="#xrf.Job.12.9.1"><span class="xrfAlphabet">a</span></a></p><p class="poem"><span epub:type="z3998:verse" id="start-Job.12.10" /> <A name="11"></a><span class="reftext"><a href="/job/12-10.htm"><b>10</b></a></span>The life of every living thing is in his hand,</p><p class="poem">as well as the breath of all humanity.<a epub:type="noteref" href="#xrf.Job.12.10.1"><span class="xrfAlphabet">a</span></a></p><p class="poem"><span epub:type="z3998:verse" id="start-Job.12.11" /> <A name="12"></a><span class="reftext"><a href="/job/12-11.htm"><b>11</b></a></span>Doesn’t the ear test words</p><p class="poem">as the palate tastes food?</p><p class="poem"><span epub:type="z3998:verse" id="start-Job.12.12" /> <A name="13"></a><span class="reftext"><a href="/job/12-12.htm"><b>12</b></a></span>Wisdom is found with the elderly,</p><p class="poem">and understanding comes with long life.<a epub:type="noteref" href="#xrf.Job.12.12.1"><span class="xrfAlphabet">a</span></a></p></blockquote><blockquote class="poetryblock"><p class="poem"><span epub:type="z3998:verse" id="start-Job.12.13" /> <A name="14"></a><span class="reftext"><a href="/job/12-13.htm"><b>13</b></a></span>Wisdom and strength belong to God;</p><p class="poem">counsel and understanding are his.<a epub:type="noteref" href="#xrf.Job.12.13.1"><span class="xrfAlphabet">a</span></a></p><p class="poem"><span epub:type="z3998:verse" id="start-Job.12.14" /> <A name="15"></a><span class="reftext"><a href="/job/12-14.htm"><b>14</b></a></span>Whatever he tears down cannot be rebuilt;</p><p class="poem">whoever he imprisons cannot be released.<a epub:type="noteref" href="#xrf.Job.12.14.1"><span class="xrfAlphabet">a</span></a></p><p class="poem"><span epub:type="z3998:verse" id="start-Job.12.15" /> <A name="16"></a><span class="reftext"><a href="/job/12-15.htm"><b>15</b></a></span>When he withholds water, everything dries up,</p><p class="poem">and when he releases it, it destroys the land.<a epub:type="noteref" href="#xrf.Job.12.15.1"><span class="xrfAlphabet">a</span></a></p><p class="poem"><span epub:type="z3998:verse" id="start-Job.12.16" /> <A name="17"></a><span class="reftext"><a href="/job/12-16.htm"><b>16</b></a></span>True wisdom and power belong to him.</p><p class="poem">The deceived and the deceiver are his.</p><p class="poem"><span epub:type="z3998:verse" id="start-Job.12.17" /> <A name="18"></a><span class="reftext"><a href="/job/12-17.htm"><b>17</b></a></span>He leads counselors away barefoot</p><p class="poem">and makes judges go mad.<a epub:type="noteref" href="#xrf.Job.12.17.1"><span class="xrfAlphabet">a</span></a></p><p class="poem"><span epub:type="z3998:verse" id="start-Job.12.18" /> <A name="19"></a><span class="reftext"><a href="/job/12-18.htm"><b>18</b></a></span>He releases the bonds<a epub:type="noteref" href="#fn.Job.12.18.1"><span class="fnAlphabet">A</span></a> put on by kings<a epub:type="noteref" href="#xrf.Job.12.18.1"><span class="xrfAlphabet">a</span></a></p><p class="poem">and fastens a belt around their waists.</p><p class="poem"><span epub:type="z3998:verse" id="start-Job.12.19" /> <A name="20"></a><span class="reftext"><a href="/job/12-19.htm"><b>19</b></a></span>He leads priests away barefoot</p><p class="poem">and overthrows established leaders.<a epub:type="noteref" href="#xrf.Job.12.19.1"><span class="xrfAlphabet">a</span></a></p><p class="poem"><span epub:type="z3998:verse" id="start-Job.12.20" /> <A name="21"></a><span class="reftext"><a href="/job/12-20.htm"><b>20</b></a></span>He deprives trusted advisers of speech</p><p class="poem">and takes away the elders’ good judgment.</p><p class="poem"><span epub:type="z3998:verse" id="start-Job.12.21" /> <A name="22"></a><span class="reftext"><a href="/job/12-21.htm"><b>21</b></a></span>He pours out contempt on nobles</p><p class="poem">and disarms<a epub:type="noteref" href="#fn.Job.12.21.1"><span class="fnAlphabet">A</span></a> the strong.</p><p class="poem"><span epub:type="z3998:verse" id="start-Job.12.22" /> <A name="23"></a><span class="reftext"><a href="/job/12-22.htm"><b>22</b></a></span>He reveals mysteries from the darkness</p><p class="poem">and brings the deepest darkness into the light.<a epub:type="noteref" href="#xrf.Job.12.22.1"><span class="xrfAlphabet">a</span></a></p><p class="poem"><span epub:type="z3998:verse" id="start-Job.12.23" /> <A name="24"></a><span class="reftext"><a href="/job/12-23.htm"><b>23</b></a></span>He makes nations great, then destroys them;</p><p class="poem">he enlarges nations,<a epub:type="noteref" href="#xrf.Job.12.23.1"><span class="xrfAlphabet">a</span></a> then leads them away.</p><p class="poem"><span epub:type="z3998:verse" id="start-Job.12.24" /> <A name="25"></a><span class="reftext"><a href="/job/12-24.htm"><b>24</b></a></span>He deprives the world’s leaders of reason,</p><p class="poem">and makes them wander in a trackless wasteland.<a epub:type="noteref" href="#xrf.Job.12.24.1"><span class="xrfAlphabet">a</span></a></p><p class="poem"><span epub:type="z3998:verse" id="start-Job.12.25" /> <span class="reftext"><a href="/job/12-25.htm"><b>25</b></a></span>They grope around in darkness without light;</p><p class="poem">he makes them stagger like a drunkard.<a epub:type="noteref" href="#xrf.Job.12.25.1"><span class="xrfAlphabet">a</span></a></p></blockquote><br /><section id="footnotes-Job.12" class="fnSection"><aside id="fn.Job.12.3.1"><span class="footnote-reference"><a href="#start-Job.12.3">12:3</a></span> Lit <span class="italic">With whom are not such things as these?</span></aside><aside id="fn.Job.12.4.1"><span class="footnote-reference"><a href="#start-Job.12.4">12:4</a></span> Lit <span class="italic">his</span></aside><aside id="fn.Job.12.4.2"><span class="footnote-reference"><a href="#start-Job.12.4">12:4</a></span> Lit <span class="italic">him</span></aside><aside id="fn.Job.12.6.1"><span class="footnote-reference"><a href="#start-Job.12.6">12:6</a></span> Or <span class="italic">secure; to those who bring their god in their hands</span></aside><aside id="fn.Job.12.18.1"><span class="footnote-reference"><a href="#start-Job.12.18">12:18</a></span> Text emended; MT reads <span class="italic">discipline</span></aside><aside id="fn.Job.12.21.1"><span class="footnote-reference"><a href="#start-Job.12.21">12:21</a></span> Lit <span class="italic">and loosens the belt of</span></aside><br /><section id="cross-references-Job.12" class="xrfSection"><aside id="xrf.Job.12.3.1"><span class="cross-reference"><a href="#start-Job.12.3">12:3</a></span> Jb 13:2; 15:9; 16:2</aside><aside id="xrf.Job.12.4.1"><span class="cross-reference"><a href="#start-Job.12.4">12:4</a></span> Jb 30:1,9; Jr 20:7; Lm 3:14</aside><aside id="xrf.Job.12.5.1"><span class="cross-reference"><a href="#start-Job.12.5">12:5</a></span> Ps 123:4; Am 6:1</aside><aside id="xrf.Job.12.6.1"><span class="cross-reference"><a href="#start-Job.12.6">12:6</a></span> Jb 5:24; 8:6; 21:9</aside><aside id="xrf.Job.12.6.2"><span class="cross-reference"><a href="#start-Job.12.6">12:6</a></span> Ps 73:11; Jr 12:1; Mt 5:45</aside><aside id="xrf.Job.12.7.1"><span class="cross-reference"><a href="#start-Job.12.7">12:7</a></span> Jb 35:11; Mt 6:26</aside><aside id="xrf.Job.12.9.1"><span class="cross-reference"><a href="#start-Job.12.9">12:9</a></span> Ru 1:13; Jb 19:21; Is 41:20</aside><aside id="xrf.Job.12.10.1"><span class="cross-reference"><a href="#start-Job.12.10">12:10</a></span> Gn 2:7; Jb 27:3; 33:4</aside><aside id="xrf.Job.12.12.1"><span class="cross-reference"><a href="#start-Job.12.12">12:12</a></span> Jb 12:20; 32:7,9; Ps 119:100</aside><aside id="xrf.Job.12.13.1"><span class="cross-reference"><a href="#start-Job.12.13">12:13</a></span> Jb 9:4; 36:5; 38:36</aside><aside id="xrf.Job.12.14.1"><span class="cross-reference"><a href="#start-Job.12.14">12:14</a></span> Jb 11:10; Is 22:22; Rv 3:7</aside><aside id="xrf.Job.12.15.1"><span class="cross-reference"><a href="#start-Job.12.15">12:15</a></span> Is 41:18; 42:15; 44:3,27</aside><aside id="xrf.Job.12.17.1"><span class="cross-reference"><a href="#start-Job.12.17">12:17</a></span> Jb 9:24; Is 29:14; 44:25</aside><aside id="xrf.Job.12.18.1"><span class="cross-reference"><a href="#start-Job.12.18">12:18</a></span> Jb 12:21; Is 45:1</aside><aside id="xrf.Job.12.19.1"><span class="cross-reference"><a href="#start-Job.12.19">12:19</a></span> Is 40:23; Lk 1:52</aside><aside id="xrf.Job.12.22.1"><span class="cross-reference"><a href="#start-Job.12.22">12:22</a></span> Ps 90:8; Dn 2:22; 1Co 4:5</aside><aside id="xrf.Job.12.23.1"><span class="cross-reference"><a href="#start-Job.12.23">12:23</a></span> Ex 34:24; Is 9:3; 26:15</aside><aside id="xrf.Job.12.24.1"><span class="cross-reference"><a href="#start-Job.12.24">12:24</a></span> Ps 107:40; Dn 4:33</aside><aside id="xrf.Job.12.25.1"><span class="cross-reference"><a href="#start-Job.12.25">12:25</a></span> Dt 28:29; Jb 5:14; Is 59:10</aside><br /><section id="study-notes-Job.12" class="snSection"><br /></div><div id="botbox"><div class="padbot"><div align="center">The Christian Standard Bible. 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