12 But the witless can no more become wise

than a wild donkey’s colt can be born human.

12 But a stupid man will get understanding

when a wild donkey’s colt is born a man!

12 For vain man would be wise,

Though man be born like a wild ass’s colt.

12 An empty-headed person won’t become wise

any more than a wild donkey can bear a human child.

12 For an empty-headed man will be wise,

When a wild donkey’s colt is born a man.

12 A fool cannot become wise

any more than a wild donkey can be born tame.

12 But vain man is void of understanding,

Yea, man is born as a wild ass’s colt.

12 Yet a senseless man will make bold, though man be born like the foal of a wild ass.

12 But an empty-headed person will gain understanding 

when a wild donkey is born tame. 

12 But a stupid man will gain understanding

as soon as a wild donkey is born a man!

12 But a stupid person will get understanding,

when a wild ass is born human.

12 A wild donkey’s colt can’t be born a human being.

And a man who doesn’t have any sense can’t become wise.

12 “An idiot will become intelligent

When the foal of a wild donkey is born a man.