Job 12, side by side

Two versions of the same chapter. Each row is one verse, so you can see how the wording changes.

Modern

1Then Job answered:

Classic

1And Job answered and said,

Modern

2“Truly then you are the people with whom wisdom itself will die!

Classic

2No doubt but ye are the people, and wisdom shall die with you.

Modern

3But I also have a mind; I am not inferior to you. Who does not know such things as these?

Classic

3But I have understanding as well as you; I am not inferior to you: yea, who knoweth not such things as these?

Modern

4I am a laughingstock to my friends, though I called on God, and He answered. The righteous and upright man is a laughingstock.

Classic

4I am as one mocked of his neighbour, who calleth upon God, and he answereth him: the just upright man is laughed to scorn.

Modern

5The one at ease scorns misfortune as the fate of those whose feet are slipping.

Classic

5He that is ready to slip with his feet is as a lamp despised in the thought of him that is at ease.

Modern

6The tents of robbers are safe, and those who provoke God are secure— those who carry their god in their hands.

Classic

6The tabernacles of robbers prosper, and they that provoke God are secure; into whose hand God bringeth abundantly.

Modern

7But ask the animals, and they will instruct you; ask the birds of the air, and they will tell you.

Classic

7But ask now the beasts, and they shall teach thee; and the fowls of the air, and they shall tell thee:

Modern

8Or speak to the earth, and it will teach you; let the fish of the sea inform you.

Classic

8Or speak to the earth, and it shall teach thee: and the fishes of the sea shall declare unto thee.

Modern

9Which of all these does not know that the hand of the LORD has done this?

Classic

9Who knoweth not in all these that the hand of the LORD hath wrought this?

Modern

10The life of every living thing is in His hand, as well as the breath of all mankind.

Classic

10In whose hand is the soul of every living thing, and the breath of all mankind.

Modern

11Does not the ear test words as the tongue tastes its food?

Classic

11Doth not the ear try words? and the mouth taste his meat?

Modern

12Wisdom is found with the elderly, and understanding comes with long life.

Classic

12With the ancient is wisdom; and in length of days understanding.

Modern

13Wisdom and strength belong to God; counsel and understanding are His.

Classic

13With him is wisdom and strength, he hath counsel and understanding.

Modern

14What He tears down cannot be rebuilt; the man He imprisons cannot be released.

Classic

14Behold, he breaketh down, and it cannot be built again: he shutteth up a man, and there can be no opening.

Modern

15If He holds back the waters, they dry up, and if He releases them, they overwhelm the land.

Classic

15Behold, he withholdeth the waters, and they dry up: also he sendeth them out, and they overturn the earth.

Modern

16True wisdom and power belong to Him. The deceived and the deceiver are His.

Classic

16With him is strength and wisdom: the deceived and the deceiver are his.

Modern

17He leads counselors away barefoot and makes fools of judges.

Classic

17He leadeth counsellors away spoiled, and maketh the judges fools.

Modern

18He loosens the bonds placed by kings and fastens a belt around their waists.

Classic

18He looseth the bond of kings, and girdeth their loins with a girdle.

Modern

19He leads priests away barefoot and overthrows the established.

Classic

19He leadeth princes away spoiled, and overthroweth the mighty.

Modern

20He deprives the trusted of speech and takes away the discernment of elders.

Classic

20He removeth away the speech of the trusty, and taketh away the understanding of the aged.

Modern

21He pours out contempt on nobles and disarms the mighty.

Classic

21He poureth contempt upon princes, and weakeneth the strength of the mighty.

Modern

22He reveals the deep things of darkness and brings deep shadows into light.

Classic

22He discovereth deep things out of darkness, and bringeth out to light the shadow of death.

Modern

23He makes nations great and destroys them; He enlarges nations, then disperses them.

Classic

23He increaseth the nations, and destroyeth them: he enlargeth the nations, and straiteneth them again.

Modern

24He deprives the earth’s leaders of reason and makes them wander in a trackless wasteland.

Classic

24He taketh away the heart of the chief of the people of the earth, and causeth them to wander in a wilderness where there is no way.

Modern

25They grope in the darkness without light; He makes them stagger like drunkards.

Classic

25They grope in the dark without light, and he maketh them to stagger like a drunken man.

Your pair of translations is remembered on this device for other chapters.