Ps 58:4-5; Ec 10:11; Jer 8:17, persons very common throughout India and Egypt, who claim to have the faculty of catching, taming, and controlling serpents, even the most venomous.
Their poison is like the poison of a snake; they are like the adder, whose ears are shut; Who will not be moved by the voice of the wonder-worker, however great are his powers.
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.
See, I will send snakes and poison-snakes among you, against which the wonder-worker has no power; and they will give you wounds which may not be made well, says the Lord.
Basic English, produced by Mr C. K. Ogden of the Orthological Institute - public domain