Job 12:20–23

20 He silences the lips of trusted advisers

and takes away the discernment of elders.

21 He pours contempt on nobles

and disarms the mighty.

22 He reveals the deep things of darkness

and brings utter darkness into the light.

23 He makes nations great, and destroys them;

he enlarges nations, and disperses them.

20 He removeth away the speech of the trusty,

And taketh away the understanding of the aged.

21 He poureth contempt upon princes,

And weakeneth the strength of the mighty.

22 He discovereth deep things out of darkness,

And bringeth out to light the shadow of death.

23 He increaseth the nations, and destroyeth them:

He enlargeth the nations, and straiteneth them again.

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.

20 He deprives the trusted ones of speech,

And takes away the discernment of the elders.

21 He pours contempt on princes,

And disarms the mighty.

22 He uncovers deep things out of darkness,

And brings the shadow of death to light.

23 He makes nations great, and destroys them;

He enlarges nations, and guides them.

20 He makes trusted people be silent

and takes away the wisdom of elders.

21 He brings disgrace on important people

and takes away the weapons of the strong.

22 He uncovers the deep things of darkness

and brings dark shadows into the light.

23 He makes nations great and then destroys them;

he makes nations large and then scatters them.

20 He removeth the speech of the trusty,

And taketh away the understanding of the elders.

21 He poureth contempt upon princes,

And looseth the belt of the strong.

22 He uncovereth deep things out of darkness,

And bringeth out to light the shadow of death.

23 He increaseth the nations, and he destroyeth them:

He enlargeth the nations, and he leadeth them captive.

20 He depriveth of speech the trusty, and taketh away the judgment of the elders; 21 He poureth contempt upon nobles, and slackeneth the girdle of the mighty; 22 He discovereth deep things out of darkness, and bringeth out into light the shadow of death; 23 He increaseth the nations, and destroyeth them; he spreadeth out the nations, and bringeth them in;

20 He makes trusted advisers unable to speak 

and takes away the good judgment of respected leaders. 

21 He pours contempt on influential people 

and unbuckles the belt of the mighty. 

22 He uncovers mysteries ⸤hidden⸥ in the darkness 

and brings gloom into the light. 

23 He makes nations important and then destroys them. 

He makes nations large and leads them away. 

20 He deprives trusted advisers of speech

and takes away the elders’ good judgment.

21 He pours out contempt on nobles

and disarms the strong.

22 He reveals mysteries from the darkness

and brings the deepest darkness into the light.

23 He makes nations great, then destroys them;

He enlarges nations, then leads them away.

20 He deprives of speech those who are trusted

and takes away the discernment of the elders.

21 He pours contempt on princes

and looses the belt of the strong.

22 He uncovers deep things from the darkness

and brings deep darkness to light.

23 He makes nations great, then destroys them;

he enlarges nations, then leads them away.

20 He deprives the trustworthy of speech,

and he takes away the discretion of elders.

21 He pours contempt on noblemen,

and he loosens the girdle of the mighty.

22 “He uncovers mysteries out of darkness,

and he brings deep shadow to the light.

23 He makes the nations great, then he destroys them;

he expands the nations, then he guides them.

20 He shuts the mouths of trusted advisers.

He takes away the understanding of elders.

21 He looks down on proud leaders.

He takes away the strength of those who are mighty.

22 He tells people the secrets of darkness.

He brings evil plans out into the light.

23 He makes nations great, and then he destroys them.

He makes nations grow, and then he scatters them.

20 “He deprives the trusted ones of speech

And takes away the discernment of the elders.

21 “He pours contempt on nobles

And loosens the belt of the strong.

22 “He reveals mysteries from the darkness

And brings the deep darkness into light.

23 “He makes the nations great, then destroys them;

He enlarges the nations, then leads them away.