Job 11:12
10 If he cut off, and shut up, or gather together, then who can hinder him?
11 For he knoweth vain men: he seeth wickedness also; will he not then consider it?
For vain man would be wise, though man be born like a wild ass’s colt.
13 If thou prepare thine heart, and stretch out thine hands toward him;
14 If iniquity be in thine hand, put it far away, and let not wickedness dwell in thy tabernacles.
Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.
Compare
- BSB
- But a witless man can no more become wise than the colt of a wild donkey can be born a man!
- KJV
- For vain man would be wise, though man be born like a wild ass’s colt.
- WEB
- An empty-headed man becomes wise when a man is born as a wild donkey’s colt.
- ASV
- But vain man is void of understanding, Yea, man is born [as] a wild ass`s colt.
- DARBY
- Yet a senseless man will make bold, though man be born [like] the foal of a wild ass.
- BLB
- But a man [who is] hollow will become wise when the colt of a wild donkey is born [as] a man!
- ÅB
- og selv en uvettig mann får forstand[^2], og et ungt villesel blir født til menneske.
- OTB
- En meningsløs person vil få forståelse
når et villasins føll blir født som et menneske. - B1930
- og selv en uvettig mann får forstand, og et ungt villesel blir født til menneske. / < når Gud således går i rette med ham, JBS 11, 10.>
Study notes (Tyndale)
Original text and word study
Cross references
Job 39:5–8
Who hath sent out the wild ass free? or who hath loosed the bands of the wild ass?
Read in contextJames 2:20
But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?
Read in contextPsalms 73:22
So foolish was I, and ignorant: I was as a beast before thee.
Read in contextJeremiah 2:24
A wild ass used to the wilderness, that snuffeth up the wind at her pleasure; in her occasion who can turn her away? all they that seek her will not weary themselves; in her month they shall find her.
Read in contextJames 3:13–17
Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom.
Read in contextEcclesiastes 3:18
I said in mine heart concerning the estate of the sons of men, that God might manifest them, and that they might see that they themselves are beasts.
Read in contextPsalms 62:9–10
Surely men of low degree are vanity, and men of high degree are a lie: to be laid in the balance, they are altogether lighter than vanity.
Read in contextJob 6:5
Doth the wild ass bray when he hath grass? or loweth the ox over his fodder?
Read in context