2 No doubt but ye are the people, and wisdom shall die with you.
2 "Doubtless you are the only people who matter, and wisdom will die with you!
2 "No doubt you are the people, and wisdom will die with you.
2 "I'm sure you speak for all the experts, and when you die there'll be no one left to tell us how to live.
2 "No doubt you are the people, And wisdom will die with you!
2 "You people really know everything, don't you? And when you die, wisdom will die with you!
3 But I have a mind as well as you; I am not inferior to you. Who does not know all these things?
3 But I have understanding as well as you; I am not inferior to you. Who does not know such things as these?
3 But don't forget that I also have a brain - I don't intend to play second fiddle to you. It doesn't take an expert to know these things.
3 But I have understanding as well as you; I am not inferior to you. Indeed, who does not know such things as these?
3 Well, I know a few things myself- and you're no better than I am. Who doesn't know these things you've been saying?
(Read Job 12:1-5)
Job upbraids his friends with the good opinion they had of their own wisdom compared with his. We are apt to call reproofs reproaches, and to think ourselves mocked when advised and admonished; this is our folly; yet here was colour for this charge. He suspected the true cause of their conduct to be, that they despised him who was fallen into poverty. It is the way of the world. Even the just, upright man, if he comes under a cloud, is looked upon with contempt.
2 What ye know, the same do I know also: I am not inferior unto you.
2 What you know, I also know; I am not inferior to you.
2 What you know, I also know; I am not inferior to you.
2 Everything you know, I know, so I'm not taking a back seat to any of you.
2 What you know, I also know; I am not inferior to you.
2 I know as much as you do. You are no better than I am.
(Read Job 13:1-12)
With self-preference, Job declared that he needed not to be taught by them. Those who dispute are tempted to magnify themselves, and lower their brethren, more than is fit. When dismayed or distressed with the fear of wrath, the force of temptation, or the weight of affliction, we should apply to the Physician of our souls, who never rejects any, never prescribes amiss, and never leaves any case uncured. To Him we may speak at all times. To broken hearts and wounded consciences, all creatures, without Christ, are physicians of no value. Job evidently speaks with a very angry spirit against his friends. They had advanced some truths which nearly concerned Job, but the heart unhumbled before God, never meekly receives the reproofs of men.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Job 12:2
Commentary on Job 12:1-5
(Read Job 12:1-5)
Job upbraids his friends with the good opinion they had of their own wisdom compared with his. We are apt to call reproofs reproaches, and to think ourselves mocked when advised and admonished; this is our folly; yet here was colour for this charge. He suspected the true cause of their conduct to be, that they despised him who was fallen into poverty. It is the way of the world. Even the just, upright man, if he comes under a cloud, is looked upon with contempt.