¹² But vain man can become wise If a man can be born as a wild donkey's colt.

¹⁸ I said in my heart, "As for the sons of men, God tests them, so that they may see that they themselves are like animals.

²² I was so senseless and ignorant. I was a brute beast before you.

⁵ "Who has set the wild donkey free? Or who has loosened the bonds of the swift donkey,

⁶ Whose home I have made the wilderness, And the salt land his dwelling-place?

⁷ He scorns the tumult of the city, Neither hears he the shouting of the driver.

⁸ The range of the mountains is his pasture, He searches after every green thing.

¹³ Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by his good conduct that his deeds are done in gentleness of wisdom.

¹⁴ But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your heart, don't boast and don't lie against the truth.

¹⁵ This wisdom is not that which comes down from above, but is earthly, sensual, and demonic.

¹⁶ For where jealousy and selfish ambition are, there is confusion and every evil deed.

¹⁷ But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceful, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.

²⁰ But do you want to know, vain man, that faith apart from works is dead?

³ among whom we also all once lived in the lust of our flesh, doing the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, even as the rest.

¹⁸ Let no one deceive himself. If anyone thinks that he is wise among you in this world, let him become a fool, that he may become wise.

¹⁹ For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, "He has taken the wise in their craftiness."

²⁰ And again, "The Lord knows the reasoning of the wise, that it is worthless."

¹⁶ Be of the same mind one toward another. Don't set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble. Don't be wise in your own conceits.

²² Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools,

²⁴ a wild donkey used to the wilderness, that snuffs up the wind in her desire; in her occasion who can turn her away? all those who seek her will not weary themselves; in her month they shall find her.

² "Surely I am the most ignorant man, And don't have a man's understanding.

³ I have not learned wisdom, Neither do I have the knowledge of the Holy One.

⁴ Who has ascended up into heaven, and descended? Who has gathered the wind in his fists? Who has bound the waters in his garment? Who has established all the ends of the earth? What is his name, and what is his son's name, if you know?

⁶ A senseless man doesn't know, Neither does a fool understand this:

⁹ Surely men of low degree are just a breath, And men of high degree are a lie. In the balances they will go up. They are together lighter than a breath.

¹⁰ Don't trust in oppression. Don't become vain in robbery. If riches increase, Don't set your heart on them.

⁵ Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity. In sin my mother conceived me.

²⁸ To man he said, 'Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom. To depart from evil is understanding.'"

¹⁴ What is man, that he should be clean? He who is born of a woman, that he should be righteous?

² "No doubt, but you are the people, And wisdom shall die with you.

³ But I have understanding as well as you; I am not inferior to you: Yes, who doesn't know such things as these?

⁵ Does the wild donkey bray when he has grass? Or does the ox low over his fodder?

¹³ He takes the wise in their own craftiness; The counsel of the cunning is carried headlong.