Ecclesiastes 10:7-13
New American Standard Bible
8One who digs a pit may fall into it, and a serpent may bite one who breaks through a wall.
9One who quarries stones may be hurt by them, and one who splits logs may be endangered by them.
10If the axe is dull and he does not sharpen its edge, then he must exert more strength. Wisdom has the advantage of bringing success.
11If the serpent bites before being charmed, there is no benefit for the charmer.
12Words from the mouth of a wise person are gracious, while the lips of a fool consume him;
13the beginning of his talking is foolishness, and the end of it is evil insanity.
King James Version
Chapter 10
7I have seen servants upon horses, and princes walking as servants upon the earth. 8He that diggeth a pit shall fall into it; and whoso breaketh an hedge, a serpent shall bite him. 9Whoso removeth stones shall be hurt therewith; and he that cleaveth wood shall be endangered thereby. 10If the iron be blunt, and he do not whet the edge, then must he put to more strength: but wisdom is profitable to direct. 11Surely the serpent will bite without enchantment; and a babbler is no better.Christian Standard Bible
Chapter 10
7I have seen slaves on horses, but princes walking on the ground like slaves. 8The one who digs a pit may fall into it, and the one who breaks through a wall may be bitten by a snake. 9The one who quarries stones may be hurt by them; the one who splits logs may be endangered by them. 10If the ax is dull, and one does not sharpen its edge, then one must exert more strength; however, the advantage of wisdom is that it brings success. 11If the snake bites before it is charmed, then there is no advantage for the charmer. 12The words from the mouth of a wise person are gracious, but the lips of a fool consume him. 13The beginning of the words from his mouth is folly, but the end of his speaking is evil madness;New Living Translation
Chapter 10
7I have even seen servants riding horseback like princes — and princes walking like servants!English Standard Version
8He who digs a pit will fall into it, and a serpent will bite him who breaks through a wall.
9He who quarries stones is hurt by them, and he who splits logs is endangered by them.
10If the iron is blunt, and one does not sharpen the edge, he must use more strength, but wisdom helps one to succeed.
11If the serpent bites before it is charmed, there is no advantage to the charmer.
12The words of a wise man’s mouth win him favor, but the lips of a fool consume him.
13The beginning of the words of his mouth is foolishness, and the end of his talk is evil madness.
New International Version
Chapter 10
7I have seen slaves on horseback, while princes go on foot like slaves. 8Whoever digs a pit may fall into it; whoever breaks through a wall may be bitten by a snake.New King James Version