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13 “With God is wisdom and might.
    He has counsel and understanding.
14 Behold, he breaks down, and it can’t be built again.
    He imprisons a man, and there can be no release.
15 Behold, he withholds the waters, and they dry up.
    Again, he sends them out, and they overturn the earth.
16 With him is strength and wisdom.
    The deceived and the deceiver are his.
17 He leads counselors away stripped.
    He makes judges fools.
18 He loosens the bond of kings.
    He binds their waist with a belt.
19 He leads priests away stripped,
    and overthrows the mighty.
20 He removes the speech of those who are trusted,
    and takes away the understanding of the elders.
21 He pours contempt on princes,
    and loosens the belt of the strong.
22 He uncovers deep things out of darkness,
    and brings out to light the shadow of death.
23 He increases the nations, and he destroys them.
    He enlarges the nations, and he leads them captive.
24 He takes away understanding from the chiefs of the people of the earth,
    and causes them to wander in a wilderness where there is no way.
25 They grope in the dark without light.
    He makes them stagger like a drunken man.

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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.

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