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.(A)
18 He releases the bonds[a] put on by kings(B)
and fastens a belt around their waists.
19 He leads priests away barefoot
and overthrows established leaders.(C)
20 He deprives trusted advisers of speech
and takes away the elders’ good judgment.
21 He pours out contempt on nobles
and disarms[b] the strong.
22 He reveals mysteries from the darkness
and brings the deepest darkness into the light.(D)

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Footnotes

  1. Job 12:18 Text emended; MT reads discipline
  2. Job 12:21 Lit and loosens the belt of

16 To him belong strength and insight;(A)
    both deceived and deceiver are his.(B)
17 He leads rulers away stripped(C)
    and makes fools of judges.(D)
18 He takes off the shackles(E) put on by kings
    and ties a loincloth[a] around their waist.(F)
19 He leads priests away stripped(G)
    and overthrows officials long established.(H)
20 He silences the lips of trusted advisers
    and takes away the discernment of elders.(I)
21 He pours contempt on nobles(J)
    and disarms the mighty.(K)
22 He reveals the deep things of darkness(L)
    and brings utter darkness(M) into the light.(N)

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Footnotes

  1. Job 12:18 Or shackles of kings / and ties a belt