New Living Translation NLT
New International Version NIV
13 “But true wisdom and power are found in God; counsel and understanding are his.
13
“To God belong wisdom and power; counsel and understanding are his.
14 What he destroys cannot be rebuilt. When he puts someone in prison, there is no escape.
14
What he tears down cannot be rebuilt; those he imprisons cannot be released.
15 If he holds back the rain, the earth becomes a desert. If he releases the waters, they flood the earth.
15
If he holds back the waters, there is drought; if he lets them loose, they devastate the land.
16 Yes, strength and wisdom are his; deceivers and deceived are both in his power.
16
To him belong strength and insight; both deceived and deceiver are his.
17 He leads counselors away, stripped of good judgment; wise judges become fools.
17
He leads rulers away stripped and makes fools of judges.
18 He removes the royal robe of kings. They are led away with ropes around their waist.
18
He takes off the shackles put on by kings and ties a loincloth around their waist.
19 He leads priests away, stripped of status; he overthrows those with long years in power.
19
He leads priests away stripped and overthrows officials long established.
20 He silences the trusted adviser and removes the insight of the elders.
20
He silences the lips of trusted advisers and takes away the discernment of elders.
21 He pours disgrace upon princes and disarms the strong.
21
He pours contempt on nobles and disarms the mighty.
22 “He uncovers mysteries hidden in darkness; he brings light to the deepest gloom.
22
He reveals the deep things of darkness and brings utter darkness into the light.
23 He builds up nations, and he destroys them. He expands nations, and he abandons them.
23
He makes nations great, and destroys them; he enlarges nations, and disperses them.
24 He strips kings of understanding and leaves them wandering in a pathless wasteland.
24
He deprives the leaders of the earth of their reason; he makes them wander in a trackless waste.
25 They grope in the darkness without a light. He makes them stagger like drunkards.
25
They grope in darkness with no light; he makes them stagger like drunkards.
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright© 1996, 2004, 2007, 2013 by
Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Scripture quoted by permission. Quotations designated (NIV) are from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica. All rights reserved worldwide.