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Job 12:18–21

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.u

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.

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Job 12:18–21 — The New International Version (NIV)

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.

Job 12:18–21 — English Standard Version (ESV)

18 He looses the bonds of kings

and binds a waistcloth on their hips.

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 loosens the belt of the strong.

Job 12:18–21 — King James Version (KJV 1900)

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.

Job 12:18–21 — New Living Translation (NLT)

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.

Job 12:18–21 — The New King James Version (NKJV)

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.

Job 12:18–21 — New Century Version (NCV)

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.

Job 12:18–21 — American Standard Version (ASV)

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.

Job 12:18–21 — 1890 Darby Bible (DARBY)

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;

Job 12:18–21 — GOD’S WORD Translation (GW)

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. 

Job 12:18–21 — The Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)

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.

Job 12:18–21 — The New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)

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.

Job 12:18–21 — New International Reader’s Version (1998) (NIrV)

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.

Job 12:18–21 — New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update (NASB95)

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.


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