Part 18 (1/2)

For there is no wisdom with the aged,[216]

Nor understanding in length of days; With him is wisdom and strength; He hath counsel and understanding.

CIII

Behold he breaketh down and it cannot be builded anew: He shutteth up a man, and who can open to him?

Lo, he withholdeth the waters and they dry up, He letteth them loose and they overwhelm the earth.

CIV

With him is strength and wisdom, The erring one and his error are his, Who leadeth away counsellors barefoot, And rendereth the judges fools.

CV

He bringeth back kings into their mausoleums, And overthroweth the n.o.bles; He withdraweth the speech of the trusty, And taketh away the understanding of the aged.

CVI

He poureth scorn upon princes, And looseth the girdle of the strong; He discovereth deep things out of darkness, And bringeth gloom unto light.

CVII

He stealeth the heart of the chiefs of the earth, And maketh them wander in a pathless wilderness So that they grope in the dark without light, And stagger to and fro like a drunken man.

CVIII

Lo, mine eye hath seen all this, Mine ear hath heard and understood it.

What ye know, the same do I know also; I am nowise inferior to you.

CIX

But now I would speak to the Almighty, And I long to argue with G.o.d; For ye are weavers of lies, Ye all are patchers of inanities.

CX

Oh that ye would all of you hold your peace, And that should stand you in wisdom's stead!

Hear, I beseech you, the reasoning of my mouth, And hearken to the pleadings of my lips!

CXI

Will ye discourse wickedly for G.o.d?

And utter lies on his behalf?[217]

Will ye accept his person by dint of trickery?

Will ye contend for G.o.d with deception?

CXII

Were it well for you should he search you out?

Can ye dupe him as ye dupe men?

Will he not surely rebuke you, If ye secretly[218] accept his person?

CXIII