12 Who has measured the waters in the hollow of his hand

or marked off the heavens with the span of his hand?j

Who has gathered the dust of the earth in a measure

or weighed the mountains on a balance

and the hills on the scales?

13 Who has directedC the Spirit of the Lord,

or who gave him counsel?k

14 Who did he consult?

Who gave him understandingl

and taught him the paths of justice?

Who taught him knowledge

and showed him the way of understanding?

15 Look, the nations are like a drop in a bucket;

they are considered as a speck of dust on the scales;

he lifts up the islands like fine dust.

16 Lebanon’s cedars are not enough for fuel,

or its animals enough for a burnt offering.m

17 All the nations are as nothing before him;

they are considered by him

as empty nothingness.n