Job 11:12

¹² But the witless can no more become wise than a wild donkey's colt can be born human.[1]

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Other Translations of Job 11:12

King James Version

¹² For vain vain: Heb. empty man would be wise, though man be born like a wild ass's colt.

English Standard Version

¹² But a stupid man will get understanding when a wild donkey's colt is born a man!

The Message

¹² Hollow men, hollow women, will wise up about the same time mules learn to talk. Reach Out to God

New King James Version

¹² For an empty-headed man will be wise, When a wild donkey's colt is born a man.

New Living Translation

¹² An empty-headed person won't become wise any more than a wild donkey can bear a human child.

Matthew Henry's Commentary on Job 11:12

Commentary on Job 11:7-12

(Read Job 11:7-12)

Zophar speaks well concerning God and his greatness and glory, concerning man and his vanity and folly. See here what man is; and let him be humbled. God sees this concerning vain man, that he would be wise, would be thought so, though he is born like a wild ass's colt, so unteachable and untameable. Man is a vain creature; empty, so the word is. Yet he is a proud creature, and self-conceited. He would be wise, would be thought so, though he will not submit to the laws of wisdom. He would be wise, he reaches after forbidden wisdom, and, like his first parents, aiming to be wise above what is written, loses the tree of life for the tree of knowledge. Is such a creature as this fit to contend with God?