⁷ “But ask the animals, and they will teach you,^(A)
    or the birds in the sky,^(B) and they will tell you;^(C)
8 or speak to the earth, and it will teach you,
    or let the fish in the sea inform you.
⁹ Which of all these does not know^(D)
    that the hand of the Lord has done this?^(E)
10 In his hand is the life^(F) of every creature
    and the breath of all mankind.^(G)
11 Does not the ear test words
    as the tongue tastes food?^(H)
12 Is not wisdom found among the aged?^(I)
    Does not long life bring understanding?^(J)

¹³ “To God belong wisdom^(K) and power;^(L)
    counsel and understanding are his.^(M)
14 What he tears down^(N) cannot be rebuilt;^(O)
    those he imprisons cannot be released.^(P)
15 If he holds back the waters,^(Q) there is drought;^(R)
    if he lets them loose, they devastate the land.^(S)
16 To him belong strength and insight;^(T)
    both deceived and deceiver are his.^(U)
17 He leads rulers away stripped^(V)
    and makes fools of judges.^(W)
18 He takes off the shackles^(X) put on by kings
    and ties a loincloth^[a] around their waist.^(Y)
19 He leads priests away stripped^(Z)
    and overthrows officials long established.^(AA)
20 He silences the lips of trusted advisers
    and takes away the discernment of elders.^(AB)
21 He pours contempt on nobles^(AC)
    and disarms the mighty.^(AD)
22 He reveals the deep things of darkness^(AE)
    and brings utter darkness^(AF) into the light.^(AG)
23 He makes nations great, and destroys them;^(AH)
    he enlarges nations,^(AI) and disperses them.^(AJ)
24 He deprives the leaders of the earth of their reason;^(AK)
    he makes them wander in a trackless waste.^(AL)
25 They grope in darkness with no light;^(AM)
    he makes them stagger like drunkards.^(AN)