18 He loosens the bonds of the kings, and binds a loincloth around their waists.
19 He leads priests away stripped and overthrows the rulers.
20 He silences the lips of trusted advisors and removes the discernment of elders.
21 He pours contempt on nobles and loosens the belts of the mighty.
22 He reveals the deep things of darkness and brings utter darkness into light.
23 He makes nations great and destroys them. He enlarges the nations and leads them away.
24 He deprives the heads of the people of earth of understanding, and causes them to wander in a pathless wasteland.