Job 12:12–16

12 Is not wisdom found among the aged?

Does not long life bring understanding?

13 “To God belong wisdom and power;

counsel and understanding are his.

14 What he tears down cannot be rebuilt;

those he imprisons cannot be released.

15 If he holds back the waters, there is drought;

if he lets them loose, they devastate the land.

16 To him belong strength and insight;

both deceived and deceiver are his.

12 Wisdom is with the aged,

and understanding in length of days.

13 “With God are wisdom and might;

he has counsel and understanding.

14 If he tears down, none can rebuild;

if he shuts a man in, none can open.

15 If he withholds the waters, they dry up;

if he sends them out, they overwhelm the land.

16 With him are strength and sound wisdom;

the deceived and the deceiver are his.

12 With the ancient is wisdom;

And in length of days understanding.

13 With him is wisdom and strength,

He hath counsel and understanding.

14 Behold, he breaketh down, and it cannot be built again:

He shutteth up a man, and there can be no opening.

15 Behold, he withholdeth the waters, and they dry up:

Also he sendeth them out, and they overturn the earth.

16 With him is strength and wisdom:

The deceived and the deceiver are his.

12 Wisdom is with aged men,

And with length of days, understanding.

13 “With Him are wisdom and strength,

He has counsel and understanding.

14 If He breaks a thing down, it cannot be rebuilt;

If He imprisons a man, there can be no release.

15 If He withholds the waters, they dry up;

If He sends them out, they overwhelm the earth.

16 With Him are strength and prudence.

The deceived and the deceiver are His.

12 Older people are wise,

and long life brings understanding.

13 “But only God has wisdom and power,

good advice and understanding.

14 What he tears down cannot be rebuilt;

anyone he puts in prison cannot be let out.

15 If God holds back the waters, there is no rain;

if he lets the waters go, they flood the land.

16 He is strong and victorious;

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

12 With aged men is wisdom,

And in length of days understanding.

13 With God is wisdom and might;

He hath counsel and understanding.

14 Behold, he breaketh down, and it cannot be built again;

He shutteth up a man, and there can be no opening.

15 Behold, he withholdeth the waters, and they dry up;

Again, he sendeth them out, and they overturn the earth.

16 With him is strength and wisdom;

The deceived and the deceiver are his.

12 With the aged is wisdom, and in length of days understanding. 13 With him is wisdom and might; he hath counsel and understanding. 14 Behold, he breaketh down, and it is not built again; he shutteth up a man, and there is no opening. 15 Behold, he withholdeth the waters, and they dry up; and he sendeth them out, and they overturn the earth. 16 With him is strength and effectual knowledge; the deceived and the deceiver are his.

12 “Wisdom is with the ancient one. 

The one who has had many days has insight.

13 God has wisdom and strength. 

Advice and insight are his. 

14 When he tears ⸤something⸥ down, it cannot be rebuilt. 

When he puts someone in prison, that person cannot be freed. 

15 When he holds back the waters, there is a drought. 

When he releases them, they flood the earth. 

16 “God has power and priceless wisdom. 

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

12 Wisdom is found with the elderly,

and understanding comes with long life.

13 Wisdom and strength belong to God;

counsel and understanding are His.

14 Whatever He tears down cannot be rebuilt;

whoever He imprisons cannot be released.

15 When He withholds the waters, everything dries up,

and when He releases them, they destroy the land.

16 True wisdom and power belong to Him.

The deceived and the deceiver are His.

12 Is wisdom with the aged

and understanding in length of days?

13 “With God are wisdom and strength;

he has counsel and understanding.

14 If he tears down, no one can rebuild;

if he shuts someone in, no one can open up.

15 If he withholds the waters, they dry up;

if he sends them out, they overwhelm the land.

16 With him are strength and wisdom;

the deceived and the deceiver are his.

12 Wisdom is with the aged,

and understanding is in length of days.

13 “With him are wisdom and powerful deeds,

and to him belong counsel and understanding.

14 If he tears down, then it will not be rebuilt;

if he shuts a man in, then he cannot be freed.

15 Look, if he withholds the water, then they dry up;

and if he sends them out, then they overwhelm the land.

16 “Strength and sound wisdom are with him;

the deceived and the deceiver are his.

12 Old people are wise.

Those who live a long time have understanding.

13 “Wisdom and power belong to God.

Advice and understanding also belong to him.

14 What he tears down can’t be rebuilt.

Any man he puts in prison can’t be set free.

15 If he holds back the water, everything dries up.

If he lets the water loose, it floods the land.

16 Strength and success belong to him.

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

12 “Wisdom is with aged men,

With long life is understanding.

13 “With Him are wisdom and might;

To Him belong counsel and understanding.

14 “Behold, He tears down, and it cannot be rebuilt;

He imprisons a man, and there can be no release.

15 “Behold, He restrains the waters, and they dry up;

And He sends them out, and they inundate the earth.

16 “With Him are strength and sound wisdom,

The misled and the misleader belong to Him.