Parallel Verses
Bible in Basic English
If the iron has no edge, and he does not make it sharp, then he has to put out more strength; but wisdom makes things go well.
New American Standard Bible
If the
King James Version
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.
Holman Bible
then one must exert more strength;
however, the advantage of wisdom is that it brings success.
International Standard Version
If someone's ax is blunt the edge isn't sharpened then more strength will be needed. Putting wisdom to work will bring success.
A Conservative Version
If the iron be blunt, and he does not whet the edge, then he must increase strength. But wisdom is advantageous to make right.
American Standard Version
If the iron be blunt, and one do not whet the edge, then must he put to more strength: but wisdom is profitable to direct.
Amplified
If the axe is dull and he does not sharpen its edge, then he must exert more strength; but wisdom [to sharpen the axe] helps him succeed [with less effort].
Darby Translation
If the iron be blunt, and one do not whet the edge, then must he apply more strength; but wisdom is profitable to give success.
Julia Smith Translation
If the iron became dull and he polished not the face, and he will strengthen the forces: and wisdom will make preeminence to prosper.
King James 2000
If the iron is blunt, and he does not sharpen the edge, then must he use more strength: but wisdom helps one to succeed.
Lexham Expanded Bible
If the ax is blunt but one does not sharpen its edge, {he must exert more effort}, but the advantage of wisdom [is] it brings success.
Modern King James verseion
If the iron is blunt, and he does not whet the edge, then he must put more strength to it. But wisdom is profitable to direct.
Modern Spelling Tyndale-Coverdale
When an iron is blunt, and the point not sharpened, it must be whet again, and that with might. Even so doth wisdom follow diligence.
NET Bible
If an iron axhead is blunt and a workman does not sharpen its edge, he must exert a great deal of effort; so wisdom has the advantage of giving success.
New Heart English Bible
If the axe is blunt, and one doesn't sharpen the edge, then he must use more strength; but skill brings success.
The Emphasized Bible
If, blunt, be the iron, and, himself, hath not sharpened, the edge, then, much force, must he apply, - but, an advantage for giving success, is wisdom.
Webster
If the iron is blunt, and he doth not whet the edge, then must he use more strength: but wisdom is profitable to direct.
World English Bible
If the axe is blunt, and one doesn't sharpen the edge, then he must use more strength; but skill brings success.
Youngs Literal Translation
If the iron hath been blunt, And he the face hath not sharpened, Then doth he increase strength, And wisdom is advantageous to make right.
Interlinear
Paniym
Gabar
References
Hastings
Word Count of 20 Translations in Ecclesiastes 10:10
Verse Info
Context Readings
Hard Work And Skill Alone Cannot Succeed'Wisdom Is Necessary
9 He who gets out stones from the earth will be damaged by them, and in the cutting of wood there is danger. 10 If the iron has no edge, and he does not make it sharp, then he has to put out more strength; but wisdom makes things go well. 11 If a snake gives a bite before the word of power is said, then there is no longer any use in the word of power.
Names
Cross References
1 Corinthians 14:20
My brothers, do not be children in mind: in evil be as little children, but in mind be of full growth.
Ephesians 5:15-17
Take care then how you are living, not as unwise, but as wise;
James 1:5
But if any man among you is without wisdom, let him make his request to God, who gives freely to all without an unkind word, and it will be given to him.
Genesis 41:33-39
And now let Pharaoh make search for a man of wisdom and good sense, and put him in authority over the land of Egypt.
Exodus 18:19-23
Give ear now to my suggestion, and may God be with you: you are to be the people's representative before God, taking their causes to him:
1 Kings 3:9
Give your servant, then, a wise heart for judging your people, able to see what is good and what evil; for who is able to be the judge of this great people?
1 Chronicles 12:32
And of the children of Issachar, there were two hundred chiefs, men who had expert knowledge of the times and what it was best for Israel to do, and all their brothers were under their orders.
2 Chronicles 23:4-11
This is what you are to do: let a third of you, of the priests and Levites, who come in on the Sabbath, keep the doors
Ecclesiastes 9:15-17
Now there was in the town a poor, wise man, and he, by his wisdom, kept the town safe. But no one had any memory of that same poor man.
Ecclesiastes 10:15
The work of the foolish will be a weariness to him, because he has no knowledge of the way to the town.
Matthew 10:16
See, I send you out as sheep among wolves. Be then as wise as snakes, and as gentle as doves.
Acts 6:1-9
Now in those days, when the number of the disciples was increasing, protests were made by the Greek Jews against the Hebrews, because their widows were not taken care of in the distribution of food every day.
Acts 15:2-21
And after Paul and Barnabas had had no little argument and discussion with them, the brothers made a decision to send Paul and Barnabas and certain others of them to the Apostles and the rulers of the church at Jerusalem about this question.
Romans 16:19
For all have knowledge of how you do what you are ordered. For this reason I have joy in you, but it is my desire that you may be wise in what is good, and without knowledge of evil.
Colossians 4:5
Be wise in your behaviour to those who are outside, making good use of the time.