2“Truly—you [are] the people, and wisdom dies with you.

3I also have a heart like you, I am not fallen more than you, "" And with whom is there not like these?

4I am a laughter to his friend: He calls to God, and He answers him, "" A laughter [is] the perfect righteous one.

5A torch—despised in the thoughts of the secure "" Is prepared for those sliding with the feet.

6The tents of spoilers are at peace, "" And those provoking God have confidence, "" Into whose hand God has brought.

7And yet, now ask [one of] the beasts, "" And it shows you, "" And a bird of the heavens, "" And it declares to you.

8Or talk to the earth, and it shows you, "" And fishes of the sea recount to you:

9Who has not known in all these, "" That the hand of YHWH has done this?

10In whose hand [is] the breath of every living thing, "" And the spirit of all flesh of man.

11Does the ear not try words? And the palate taste food for itself?

12With the very aged [is] wisdom, "" And [with] length of days [is] understanding.

13With Him [are] wisdom and might, "" To Him [are] counsel and understanding.

14Behold, He breaks down, and it is not built up, "" He shuts against a man, "" And it is not opened.

15Behold, He keeps in the waters, and they are dried up, "" And He sends them forth, "" And they overturn the land.

16With Him [are] strength and wisdom, "" His the deceived and deceiver.

17Causing counselors to go away [as] a spoil, "" Indeed, He makes fools of judges.

18He has opened the bands of kings, "" And He binds a girdle on their loins.

19Causing ministers to go away [as] a spoil "" And strong ones He overthrows.

20Turning aside the lip of the steadfast, "" And the reason of the aged He takes away.

21Pouring contempt on princes, "" And the girdle of the mighty He made feeble.

22Removing deep things out of darkness, "" And He brings out to light death-shade.

23Magnifying the nations, and He destroys them, "" Spreading out the nations, and He quiets them.

24Turning aside the heart "" Of the heads of the people of the land, "" And He causes them to wander "" In vacancy—no way!

25They feel darkness, and not light, "" He causes them to wander as a drunkard.”