121 And Job answereth and saith:— 2 Truly—ye 'are' the people, And with you doth wisdom die. 3 I also have a heart like you, I am not fallen more than you, And with whom is there not like these? 4 A laughter to his friend I am: 'He calleth to God, and He answereth him,' A laughter 'is' the perfect righteous one. 5 A torch—despised in the thoughts of the secure Is prepared for those sliding with the feet.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Job 12:1-5
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.