KJV King James Version
For vain man would be wise, though man be born [like] a wild ass’s colt.
VERSE STUDY • KJV
Job 11:12
For vain man would be wise, though man be born [like] a wild ass’s colt.
Read it in 5 translations
BSB Berean Standard Bible
But a witless man can no more become wise than the colt of a wild donkey can be born a man!
WEB World English Bible
An empty-headed man becomes wise when a man is born as a wild donkey’s colt.
ASV American Standard Version
But vain man is void of understanding, Yea, man is born as a wild ass’s colt.
YLT Young’s Literal Translation
And empty man is bold, And the colt of a wild ass man is born.
Surrounding context — Job 11
9 The measure thereof [is] longer than the earth, and broader than the sea.
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]?
12 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.
15 For then shalt thou lift up thy face without spot; yea, thou shalt be stedfast, and shalt not fear:
Topics connected to this verse
Original-language word links
These Hebrew/Greek tokens are linked by Strong's number. Click one for its lexicon definition and other occurrences.
Cross-references
James 2:20But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?Job 39:5-8Who hath sent out the wild ass free? or who hath loosed the bands of the wild ass?James 3:13-17Who [is] a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom.Ecclesiastes 3:18I 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.Jeremiah 2:24A 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.Psalm 73:22So foolish [was] I, and ignorant: I was [as] a beast before thee.Job 5:13He taketh the wise in their own craftiness: and the counsel of the froward is carried headlong.Job 28:28And unto man he said, Behold, the fear of the Lord, that [is] wisdom; and to depart from evil [is] understanding.Romans 12:16[Be] of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits.Proverbs 30:2-4Surely I [am] more brutish than [any] man, and have not the understanding of a man.Ephesians 2:3Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.1 Corinthians 3:18-20Let no man deceive himself. If any man among you seemeth to be wise in this world, let him become a fool, that he may be wise.Romans 1:22Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools,Job 6:5Doth the wild ass bray when he hath grass? or loweth the ox over his fodder?Psalm 51:5Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me.Psalm 62:9-10Surely 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.Job 12:2-3No doubt but ye [are] the people, and wisdom shall die with you.Psalm 92:6A brutish man knoweth not; neither doth a fool understand this.
HISTORICAL INTERPRETATION
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