Parallel Verses

Youngs Literal Translation

If the serpent biteth without enchantment, Then there is no advantage to a master of the tongue.

New American Standard Bible

If the serpent bites before being charmed, there is no profit for the charmer.

King James Version

Surely the serpent will bite without enchantment; and a babbler is no better.

Holman Bible

If the snake bites before it is charmed,
then there is no advantage for the charmer.

International Standard Version

If a serpent strikes despite being charmed, there's no point in being a snake charmer.

A Conservative Version

If the serpent bites before it is charmed, then is there no advantage in the charmer.

American Standard Version

If the serpent bite before it is charmed, then is there no advantage in the charmer.

Amplified

If the serpent bites before being charmed, then there is no profit for the charmer.

Bible in Basic English

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.

Darby Translation

If the serpent bite before enchantment, then the charmer hath no advantage.

Julia Smith Translation

If a serpent will bite without magic; and no pre?minence to the possessor of the tongue.

King James 2000

Surely the serpent will bite without enchantment; and a babbler is no better.

Lexham Expanded Bible

If the snake bites before the charming, {the snake charmer will not succeed}.

Modern King James verseion

Surely the snake will bite without enchantment; and a babbler is no better.

Modern Spelling Tyndale-Coverdale

A babbler of his tongue is no better than a serpent that stingeth without hissing.

NET Bible

If the snake should bite before it is charmed, the snake charmer is in trouble.

New Heart English Bible

If the serpent bites before it is charmed, then is there no profit for the charmer's tongue.

The Emphasized Bible

If a serpent will bite, unless he is charmed, then there is nothing better for him that owneth a tongue.

Webster

Surely the serpent will bite without enchantment; and a babbler is no better.

World English Bible

If the snake bites before it is charmed, then is there no profit for the charmer's tongue.

Interlinear

English(KJV)
Strong's
Root Form
Definition
Usage
נחשׁ 
Nachash 
Usage: 31

will bite
נשׁך 
Nashak 
Usage: 16

לחשׁ 
Lachash 
Usage: 5

and a babbler
לשׁנה לשׁן לשׁון 
Lashown 
Usage: 116

Context Readings

Hard Work And Skill Alone Cannot Succeed'Wisdom Is Necessary

10 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. 11 If the serpent biteth without enchantment, Then there is no advantage to a master of the tongue. 12 Words of the mouth of the wise are gracious, And the lips of a fool swallow him up.

Cross References

Jeremiah 8:17

For, lo, I am sending among you serpents, Vipers that have no charmer, And they have bitten you, an affirmation of Jehovah.

Psalm 58:4-5

Their poison is as poison of a serpent, As a deaf asp shutting its ear,

Psalm 52:2

Mischiefs doth thy tongue devise, Like a sharp razor, working deceit.

Psalm 64:3

Who sharpened as a sword their tongue, They directed their arrow -- a bitter word.

Proverbs 18:21

Death and life are in the power of the tongue, And those loving it eat its fruit.

James 3:6

and the tongue is a fire, the world of the unrighteousness, so the tongue is set in our members, which is spotting our whole body, and is setting on fire the course of nature, and is set on fire by the gehenna.

King James Version Public Domain

Holman Christian Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2009 by Holman Bible Publishers.

International Standard Version Copyright © 1996-2008 by the ISV Foundation.

New American Standard Bible Copyright ©1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, Calif. All rights reserved. For Permission to Quote Information visit http://www.lockman.org

American Standard Version Public Domain

NET Bible copyright © 1996-2006 by Biblical Studies Press, L.L.C. NetBible

Basic English, produced by Mr C. K. Ogden of the Orthological Institute - public domain