rd

Job 12

1 Job accuseth his friends of ignorance 7 He declareth the might, and power of God, 17 And how he changeth the course of things.
1.Then Job answered, and said,
2.In dede because that ye are the people onely, awisdome must dye with you.
3.But I have understanding aswel as you, and am not inferior unto you: yea, who knoweth not suche things?
4.*I am bas one mocked of his neighbour, who calleth upon God, and he cheareth him: the juste & the upright is laughed to scorne.
5.dHe that is ready to fall, is as a lampe despised in the opinion of the riche.
6.The tabernacles of robbers do prosper, and they are in savetie, that provoke God, ^whom God hath enriched with his hand.
7.Aske now the beastes, eand they shal teache thee, and the foules of the heaven, and they shal tel thee:
8.Or speak to the earth, and it shal shewe thee: or the fishes of the sea, and they shal declare unto thee.
9.Who is ignorant of all these, but that the hand of the Lord hath made these?
10.In whose hand is the soule of everie living thing, and the breath of all ^mankind.
11.Doeth not the eares fdiscerne the wordes? and the mouth taste meat for it self?
12.Among the gancient is wisdom, and in the length of dayes is understanding.
13.With him is wisdome and strength: he hathe counsel and understanding.
14.Beholde, he wil breake downe, and it can not be buylt: he shutteth a man up, and he can not be losed.
15.Beholde, he withholdeth the waters, & thei drye up: but when he sendeth them out, they destroye the earth.
16.With him is strength and wisdome: he that is deceived, and that hdeceiveth, are his.
17.He causeth the counselers to go as spoiled, and maketh the judges fooles.
18.iHe loseth kthe colar of Kings, and girdeth their loines with a girdle.
19.He leadeth away the princes as a pray, and overthroweth the mightie.
20.He taketh away the speache from the lfaithful counselers, and taketh away the judgement of the ancient.
21.He powreth contempt upon princes & maketh the strength of the mightie weake.
22.He discovereth the depe places from their darkenes, and bringeth forthe the shadow of death to light.
23.He mincreaseth the people, and destroyeth them: he inlargeth the nacions, and bringeth them in againe.
24.He taketh away the hearts of them that are the chief over the people of the earth, and maketh them to wander in the wilderness out of the way.
25.They grope in the darke without light: and he maketh them to stagger like a dronken man.

Notes

2-a.
Because you feel not that, which you speak, you think the whole stands in words, and so flatter yourselves as though none knew any thing, or could know but you.
4-*.
Pro. 14.2.
4-b.
He reproved these his friends of two fautes: the one that they thought they had better knowledge then indeed they had, and the other that instead of true consolation they did deride, and despise their friend in his adversity.
4-c.
The which neighbour being a mocker, and a wicked man, thinks that no man is in God’s favour but he, because he has all things that he desires.
5-d.
As the rich esteem not a light, or torch that goes out, so is he despised that falls from prosperity to adversity.
6-^.
Ebr., to whom God has brought in with his hand.
7-e.
He declares to them that did dispute against him, that their wisdom is common to all, and such as the very brute beasts do daily teach. 9 Geneva Bible 1560
10-^.
Or, flesh.
11-f.
He exhorts then to be wise in judging, and aswel to know the right use why God has given them ears, as he has done a mouth.
12-g.
Though men by age, and continuance of time attain to wisdom, yet it is not comparable to God’s wisdom, nor able to comprehend his judgements, wherein he answers to that, which was alleged, Chap. 8.8.
16-h.
He shows that there is nothing done in this world without God’s will, and ordinance: for els he should not be almighty.
18-i.
He takes wisdom from them.
18-k.
He abates the honour of princes, and brings them into the subjection of others.
20-l.
He causes that their words have no credit, which is when he will punish sin.
23-m.
In this discourse of God’s wonderful works Job shows that whatsoever is done in this world, both in the order and change of things is by God’s will and appointment: wherein he declares that he thinks well of God, and is as able to set forth his power in words as they that reasoned against, were.