2. “You really think you are the only wise people.You think when you die wisdom will die with you.
3. But my mind is as good as yours.You are not better than I am.Everyone knows all these things.
4. My friends all laugh at mewhen I call on God and expect him to answer me.They laugh at me even though I am right and innocent!
5. People who are comfortable don’t care that others have trouble.They think that people who are in trouble should have more troubles.
6. The tents of robbers are not bothered.Those who make God angry are safe.They have their god in their pocket.
7. “But ask the animals, and they will teach you.Or ask the birds of the air, and they will tell you.
8. Speak to the earth, and it will teach you.Or let the fish of the sea tell you.
9. Every one of these knowsthat the hand of the Lord has done this.
10. The life of every creatureand the breath of all people are in God’s hand.
11. The ear tests wordsas the tongue tastes food.
12. Older people are supposed to be wise.Long life is supposed to bring understanding.
13. “But God has wisdom and power.He has good advice and understanding.
14. What God tears down cannot be rebuilt.The man God puts in prison cannot be let out.
15. If God holds back the waters, there is a time without rain.But if he lets the waters go, they flood the land.
16. God is strong and victorious.Both the person who fools others and the one who is fooled belong to him.
17. God leads wise men away as captives.He turns wise judges into fools.