Job 11:12 “But a witless man can no more become wise than the colt of a wild donk…”

Job 11:12

But a witless man can no more become wise than the colt of a wild donkey can be born a man!

Berean Standard Bible

Other translations

King James Version

For vain man would be wise, though man be born like a wild ass’s colt.

World English Bible

An empty-headed man becomes wise when a man is born as a wild donkey’s colt.

American Standard Version

But vain man is void of understanding, Yea, man is born as a wild ass’s colt.

Geneva Bible 1599

Yet vaine man would be wise, though man new borne is like a wilde asse colte.

Darby Translation

Yet a senseless man will make bold, though man be born [like] the foal of a wild ass.

Young's Literal Translation

And empty man is bold, And the colt of a wild ass man is born.

Bible in Basic English

And so a hollow-minded man will get wisdom, when a young ass of the field gets teaching.

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Cross references

“For vain”

James 2:20 Psalm 73:22 Ecclesiastes 3:18 Psalm 92:6 Romans 1:22 Psalm 62:9

James 2:20 · BSB

O foolish man, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is worthless?

Psalm 73:22 · BSB

I was senseless and ignorant; I was a brute beast before You.

Ecclesiastes 3:18 · BSB

I said to myself, “As for the sons of men, God tests them so that they may see for themselves that they are but beasts.”

Psalm 92:6 · BSB

A senseless man does not know, and a fool does not understand,

Romans 1:22 · BSB

Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools,

Psalm 62:9 · BSB

Lowborn men are but a vapor; the exalted are but a lie. Weighed on the scale, they go up; together they are but a vapor.

“would”

James 3:13–17 Job 5:13 Job 28:28 Proverbs 30:2–4 Romans 12:16 1 Corinthians 3:18–20

James 3:13–17 · BSB

Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by his good conduct, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom.

Job 5:13 · BSB

He catches the wise in their craftiness, and sweeps away the plans of the cunning.

Job 28:28 · BSB

And He said to man, ‘Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom, and to turn away from evil is understanding.’”

Proverbs 30:2–4 · BSB

Surely I am the most ignorant of men, and I lack the understanding of a man.

Romans 12:16 · BSB

Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but associate with the lowly. Do not be conceited.

1 Corinthians 3:18–20 · BSB

Let no one deceive himself. If any of you thinks he is wise in this age, he should become a fool, so that he may become wise.

“man be”

Job 15:14 Psalm 51:5 Ephesians 2:3

Job 15:14 · BSB

What is man, that he should be pure, or one born of woman, that he should be righteous?

Psalm 51:5 · BSB

Surely I was brought forth in iniquity; I was sinful when my mother conceived me.

Ephesians 2:3 · BSB

All of us also lived among them at one time, fulfilling the cravings of our flesh and indulging its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature children of wrath.

“a wild”

Job 39:5–8 Jeremiah 2:24 Job 6:5

Job 39:5–8 · BSB

Who set the wild donkey free? Who released the swift donkey from the harness?

Jeremiah 2:24 · BSB

a wild donkey at home in the wilderness, sniffing the wind in the heat of her desire. Who can restrain her passion? All who seek her need not weary themselves; in mating season they will find her.

Job 6:5 · BSB

Does a wild donkey bray over fresh grass, or an ox low over its fodder?

Cross references adapted from OpenBible.info (CC BY 4.0) and the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

In context

11Surely He knows the deceit of men. If He sees iniquity, does He not take note?

13As for you, if you direct your heart and lift up your hands to Him,

Read Job 11