6 The tents of marauders are undisturbed, and those who provoke God are secure- those God has in his hand.[1] 7 "But ask the animals, and they will teach you, or the birds in the sky, and they will tell you; 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 that the hand of the Lord has done this? 10 In his hand is the life of every creature and the breath of all mankind. 11 Does not the ear test words as the tongue tastes food?
6 The tabernacles of robbers prosper, and they that provoke God are secure; into whose hand God bringeth abundantly. 7 But ask now the beasts, and they shall teach thee; and the fowls of the air, and they shall tell thee: 8 Or speak to the earth, and it shall teach thee: and the fishes of the sea shall declare unto thee. 9 Who knoweth not in all these that the hand of the Lord hath wrought this? 10 In whose hand is the soul
6 The tents of robbers are at peace, and those who provoke God are secure, who bring their god in their hand.
6 Crooks reside safely in high-security houses, insolent blasphemers live in luxury; they've bought and paid for a god who'll protect them. 7 "But ask the animals what they think - let them teach you; let the birds tell you what's going on. 8 Put your ear to the earth - learn the basics. Listen - the fish in the ocean will tell you their stories. 9 Isn't it clear that they all know and agree that God is sovereign, that he holds all things in his hand - 10 Every living soul, yes, every breathing creature? 11 Isn't this all just common sense, as common as the sense of taste?
6 The tents of robbers prosper, And those who provoke God are secure-- In what God provides by His hand. 7 "But now ask the beasts, and they will teach you; And the birds of the air, and they will tell you; 8 Or speak to the earth, and it will teach you; And the fish of the sea will explain to you. 9 Who among all these does not know That the hand of the Lord has done this, 10 In whose hand is the life of every living thing, And the breath of all mankind? 11 Does not the ear test words And the mouth taste its food?
6 But robbers are left in peace, and those who provoke God live in safety- though God keeps them in his power. 7 "Just ask the animals, and they will teach you. Ask the birds of the sky, and they will tell you. 8 Speak to the earth, and it will instruct you. Let the fish in the sea speak to you. 9 For they all know that my disaster has come from the hand of the Lord . 10 For the life of every living thing is in his hand, and the breath of every human being. 11 The ear tests the words it hears just as the mouth distinguishes between foods.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Job 12:6-11
Commentary on Job 12:6-11
(Read Job 12:6-11)
Job appeals to facts. The most audacious robbers, oppressors, and impious wretches, often prosper. Yet this is not by fortune or chance; the Lord orders these things. Worldly prosperity is of small value in his sight: he has better things for his children. Job resolves all into the absolute proprietorship which God has in all the creatures. He demands from his friends liberty to judge of what they had said; he appeals to any fair judgment.