Great poetry from Job 12:7 ff

Job 12:7-24 (New Living Translation)

⁷ “Just ask the animals, and they will teach you.
Ask the birds of the sky, and they will tell you.
⁸ Speak to the earth, and it will instruct you.
Let the fish in the sea speak to you.

¹⁰ For the life of every living thing is in his hand,
and the breath of every human being.
¹¹ The ear tests the words it hears
just as the mouth distinguishes between foods.
¹² Wisdom belongs to the aged,
and understanding to the old.

¹³ “But true wisdom and power are found in God;
counsel and understanding are his.
¹⁴ What he destroys cannot be rebuilt.
When he puts someone in prison, there is no escape.
¹⁵ If he holds back the rain, the earth becomes a desert.
If he releases the waters, they flood the earth.
¹⁶ Yes, strength and wisdom are his;
deceivers and deceived are both in his power.
¹⁷ He leads counselors away, stripped of good judgment;
wise judges become fools.
¹⁸ He removes the royal robe of kings.
They are led away with ropes around their waist.
¹⁹ He leads priests away, stripped of status;
he overthrows those with long years in power.
²⁰ He silences the trusted adviser
and removes the insight of the elders.
²¹ He pours disgrace upon princes
and disarms the strong.

²² “He uncovers mysteries hidden in darkness;
he brings light to the deepest gloom.
²³ He builds up nations, and he destroys them.
He expands nations, and he abandons them.
²⁴ He strips kings of understanding
and leaves them wandering in a pathless wasteland.