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 wise,and long life brings understanding.
13. “But only God has wisdom and power,good advice and understanding.
14. What he tears down cannot be rebuilt;anyone he puts in prison cannot be let out.
15. If God holds back the waters, there is no rain;if he lets the waters go, they flood the land.
16. He is strong and victorious;both the one who fools others and the one who is fooled belong to him.
17. God leads the wise away as captivesand turns judges into fools.
18. He takes off chains that kings put onand puts a garment on their bodies.
19. He leads priests away nakedand destroys the powerful.