Job 12:16–21

16 To him belong strength and insight;

both deceived and deceiver are his.

17 He leads rulers away stripped

and makes fools of judges.

18 He takes off the shackles put on by kings

and ties a loincloth around their waist.

19 He leads priests away stripped

and overthrows officials long established.

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.

16 With him is strength and wisdom:

The deceived and the deceiver are his.

17 He leadeth counsellers away spoiled,

And maketh the judges fools.

18 He looseth the bond of kings,

And girdeth their loins with a girdle.

19 He leadeth princes away spoiled,

And overthroweth the mighty.

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.

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.

16 With Him are strength and prudence.

The deceived and the deceiver are His.

17 He leads counselors away plundered,

And makes fools of the judges.

18 He loosens the bonds of kings,

And binds their waist with a belt.

19 He leads princes away plundered,

And overthrows the mighty.

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.

16 He is strong and victorious;

both the one who fools others and the one who is fooled belong to him.

17 God leads the wise away as captives

and turns judges into fools.

18 He takes off chains that kings put on

and puts a garment on their bodies.

19 He leads priests away naked

and destroys the powerful.

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.

16 With him is strength and wisdom;

The deceived and the deceiver are his.

17 He leadeth counsellors away stripped,

And judges maketh he fools.

18 He looseth the bond of kings,

And he bindeth their loins with a girdle.

19 He leadeth priests away stripped,

And overthroweth the mighty.

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.

16 With him is strength and effectual knowledge; the deceived and the deceiver are his. 17 He leadeth counsellors away spoiled, and judges maketh he fools; 18 He weakeneth the government of kings, and bindeth their loins with a fetter; 19 He leadeth priests away spoiled, and overthroweth the mighty; 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;

16 “God has power and priceless wisdom. 

He owns ⸤both⸥ the deceiver and the person who is deceived. 

17 He leads counselors away barefoot 

and makes fools out of judges. 

18 He loosens kings’ belts 

and strips them of their pants. 

19 He leads priests away barefoot 

and misleads those who serve in a temple. 

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. 

16 True wisdom and power belong to Him.

The deceived and the deceiver are His.

17 He leads counselors away barefoot

and makes judges go mad.

18 He releases the bonds put on by kings

and fastens a belt around their waists.

19 He leads priests away barefoot

and overthrows established leaders.

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.

16 With him are strength and wisdom;

the deceived and the deceiver are his.

17 He leads counselors away stripped

and makes fools of judges.

18 He looses the sash of kings

and binds a waistcloth on their loins.

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.

21 He pours contempt on princes

and looses the belt of the strong.

16 “Strength and sound wisdom are with him;

the deceived and the deceiver are his.

17 He leads counselors away stripped,

and he makes fools of judges.

18 He loosens the fetters of kings,

and he binds a loincloth on their loins.

19 He leads priests away stripped,

and he overthrows the members of ancient families.

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.

16 Strength and success belong to him.

Those who tell lies and those who believe them also belong to him.

17 He removes the wisdom of advisers and leads them away.

He makes judges look foolish.

18 He sets people free from the chains that kings put on them.

Then he dresses the kings in the clothes of slaves.

19 He removes the authority of priests and leads them away.

He removes from their positions

those who have been in control for a long time.

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.

16 “With Him are strength and sound wisdom,

The misled and the misleader belong to Him.

17 “He makes counselors walk barefoot

And makes fools of judges.

18 “He loosens the bond of kings

And binds their loins with a girdle.

19 “He makes priests walk barefoot

And overthrows the secure ones.

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.