Job 12:4

2 No doubt but ye are the people, and wisdom shall die with you.

3 But I have understanding as well as you; I am not inferior to you: yea, who knoweth not such things as these?

I am as one mocked of his neighbour, who calleth upon God, and he answereth him: the just upright man is laughed to scorn.

5 He that is ready to slip with his feet is as a lamp despised in the thought of him that is at ease.

6 The tabernacles of robbers prosper, and they that provoke God are secure; into whose hand God bringeth abundantly.

Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.

Compare

BSB
I am a laughingstock to my friends, though I called on God, and He answered. The righteous and upright man is a laughingstock.
KJV
I am as one mocked of his neighbour, who calleth upon God, and he answereth him: the just upright man is laughed to scorn.
WEB
I am like one who is a joke to his neighbor, I, who called on God, and he answered. The just, the blameless man is a joke.
ASV
I am as one that is a laughing-stock to his neighbor, I who called upon God, and he answered: The just, the perfect man is a laughing-stock.
DARBY
I am to be one that is a derision to his friend, I who call upon God, and whom he will answer: a derision is the just upright [man].
BLB
I have become a laughingstock to his neighbor, one calling on God and He answered him, righteous [and] blameless—a laughingstock.
ÅB
Til spott for mine venner er jeg, jeg som ropte til Gud og fikk svar; til spott er jeg, den rettskafne og ulastelige.
OTB
Jeg har blitt en spøk for mine venner,
jeg som kalte på Gud og ble besvart—
en rettferdig og skyldfri mann har blitt en spøk.
B1930
Til spott for mine venner er jeg, jeg som ropte til Gud og fikk svar; til spott er jeg, den rettskafne og ulastelige.

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

  • Job 30:1

    But now they that are younger than I have me in derision, whose fathers I would have disdained to have set with the dogs of my flock.

    Read in context
  • Job 21:3

    Suffer me that I may speak; and after that I have spoken, mock on.

    Read in context
  • Psalms 91:15

    He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him.

    Read in context
  • Job 17:6

    He hath made me also a byword of the people; and aforetime I was as a tabret.

    Read in context
  • Psalms 22:7–8

    All they that see me laugh me to scorn: they shoot out the lip, they shake the head, saying,

    Read in context
  • Job 16:10

    They have gaped upon me with their mouth; they have smitten me upon the cheek reproachfully; they have gathered themselves together against me.

    Read in context
  • Job 17:2

    Are there not mockers with me? and doth not mine eye continue in their provocation?

    Read in context
  • Jeremiah 33:3

    Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not.

    Read in context