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Ecclesiastes 10:8-10
New International Version
Ecclesiastes 10:8-10
New International Version
8 Whoever digs a pit may fall into it;(A)
whoever breaks through a wall may be bitten by a snake.(B)
9 Whoever quarries stones may be injured by them;
whoever splits logs may be endangered by them.(C)
10 If the ax is dull
and its edge unsharpened,
more strength is needed,
but skill will bring success.
Ecclesiastes 10:8-10
King James Version
Ecclesiastes 10:8-10
King James Version
8 He that diggeth a pit shall fall into it; and whoso breaketh an hedge, a serpent shall bite him.
9 Whoso removeth stones shall be hurt therewith; and he that cleaveth wood shall be endangered thereby.
10 If the iron be blunt, and he do not whet the edge, then must he put to more strength: but wisdom is profitable to direct.
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Ecclesiastes 10:8-10
English Standard Version
Ecclesiastes 10:8-10
English Standard Version
8 He who (A)digs a pit will fall into it,
and (B)a serpent will bite him who breaks through a wall.
9 (C)He who quarries stones is hurt by them,
and he who (D)splits logs is endangered by them.
10 If the iron is blunt, and one does not sharpen the edge,
he must use more strength,
but wisdom helps one to succeed.[a]
Footnotes
- Ecclesiastes 10:10 Or wisdom is an advantage for success
New International Version (NIV) 
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
NIV Reverse Interlinear Bible: English to Hebrew and English to Greek. Copyright © 2019 by Zondervan.
English Standard Version (ESV) 
The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. ESV Text Edition: 2025.