Job Chapter 12
The question" Why do innocent people suffer?" Is addressed in this biblical story.
American King James Version
12 : 1 And Job answered and said,
12 : 2 No doubt but you are the people, and wisdom shall die with you.
12 : 3 But I have understanding as well as you; I am not inferior to you: yes, who knows not such things as these?
12 : 4 I am as one mocked of his neighbor, who calls on God, and he answers him: the just upright man is laughed to scorn.
12 : 5 He that is ready to slip with his feet is as a lamp despised in the thought of him that is at ease.
12 : 6 The tabernacles of robbers prosper, and they that provoke God are secure; into whose hand God brings abundantly.
12 : 7 But ask now the beasts, and they shall teach you; and the fowls of the air, and they shall tell you:
12 : 8 Or speak to the earth, and it shall teach you: and the fishes of the sea shall declare to you.
12 : 9 Who knows not in all these that the hand of the LORD has worked this?
12 : 10 In whose hand is the soul of every living thing, and the breath of all mankind.
12 : 11 Does not the ear try words? and the mouth taste his meat?
12 : 12 With the ancient is wisdom; and in length of days understanding.
12 : 13 With him is wisdom and strength, he has counsel and understanding.
12 : 14 Behold, he breaks down, and it cannot be built again: he shuts up a man, and there can be no opening.
12 : 15 Behold, he withholds the waters, and they dry up: also he sends them out, and they overturn the earth.
12 : 16 With him is strength and wisdom: the deceived and the deceiver are his.
12 : 17 He leads counsellors away spoiled, and makes the judges fools.
12 : 18 He looses the bond of kings, and girds their loins with a girdle.
12 : 19 He leads princes away spoiled, and overthrows the mighty.
12 : 20 He removes away the speech of the trusty, and takes away the understanding of the aged.
12 : 21 He pours contempt on princes, and weakens the strength of the mighty.
12 : 22 He discovers deep things out of darkness, and brings out to light the shadow of death.
12 : 23 He increases the nations, and destroys them: he enlarges the nations, and straitens them again.
12 : 24 He takes away the heart of the chief of the people of the earth, and causes them to wander in a wilderness where there is no way.
12 : 25 They grope in the dark without light, and he makes them to stagger like a drunken man.