16. “God has power and priceless wisdom.He owns ⌊both⌋ the deceiver and the person who is deceived.
17. He leads counselors away barefootand makes fools out of judges.
18. He loosens kings’ beltsand strips them of their pants.
19. He leads priests away barefootand misleads those who serve in a temple.
20. He makes trusted advisers unable to speakand takes away the good judgment of respected leaders.
21. He pours contempt on influential peopleand unbuckles the belt of the mighty.
22. He uncovers mysteries ⌊hidden⌋ in the darknessand brings gloom into the light.
23. He makes nations important and then destroys them.He makes nations large and leads them away.