Job 12:13-25
New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition
13 “With God[a] are wisdom and strength;
he has counsel and understanding.(A)
14 If he tears down, no one can rebuild;
if he shuts someone in, no one can open up.(B)
15 If he withholds the waters, they dry up;
if he sends them out, they overwhelm the land.(C)
16 With him are strength and wisdom;
the deceived and the deceiver are his.(D)
17 He leads counselors away stripped
and makes fools of judges.(E)
18 He looses the sash of kings
and binds a waistcloth on their loins.(F)
19 He leads priests away stripped
and overthrows the mighty.
20 He deprives of speech those who are trusted
and takes away the discernment of the elders.(G)
21 He pours contempt on princes
and looses the belt of the strong.(H)
22 He uncovers deep things from the darkness
and brings deep darkness to light.(I)
23 He makes nations great, then destroys them;
he enlarges nations, then leads them away.(J)
24 He strips understanding from the leaders[b] of the earth
and makes them wander in a pathless waste.(K)
25 They grope in the dark without light;
he makes them stagger like a drunkard.(L)
Job 12:13-25
New Living Translation
13 “But true wisdom and power are found in God;
counsel and understanding are his.
14 What he destroys cannot be rebuilt.
When he puts someone in prison, there is no escape.
15 If he holds back the rain, the earth becomes a desert.
If he releases the waters, they flood the earth.
16 Yes, strength and wisdom are his;
deceivers and deceived are both in his power.
17 He leads counselors away, stripped of good judgment;
wise judges become fools.
18 He removes the royal robe of kings.
They are led away with ropes around their waist.
19 He leads priests away, stripped of status;
he overthrows those with long years in power.
20 He silences the trusted adviser
and removes the insight of the elders.
21 He pours disgrace upon princes
and disarms the strong.
22 “He uncovers mysteries hidden in darkness;
he brings light to the deepest gloom.
23 He builds up nations, and he destroys them.
He expands nations, and he abandons them.
24 He strips kings of understanding
and leaves them wandering in a pathless wasteland.
25 They grope in the darkness without a light.
He makes them stagger like drunkards.
New Revised Standard Version, Updated Edition. Copyright © 2021 National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
