10 Will they not instruct you and tell you?

Will they not bring forth words from their understanding?

11 Can papyrus grow tall where there is no marsh?

Can reeds thrive without water?

12 While still growing and uncut,

they wither more quickly than grass.

10 Will they not teach you and tell you

and utter words out of their understanding?

11 “Can papyrus grow where there is no marsh?

Can reeds flourish where there is no water?

12 While yet in flower and not cut down,

they wither before any other plant.

10 Shall not they teach thee, and tell thee,

And utter words out of their heart?

11 Can the rush grow up without mire?

Can the flag grow without water?

12 Whilst it is yet in his greenness, and not cut down,

It withereth before any other herb.

10 But those who came before us will teach you.

They will teach you the wisdom of old.

11 “Can papyrus reeds grow tall without a marsh?

Can marsh grass flourish without water?

12 While they are still flowering, not ready to be cut,

they begin to wither more quickly than grass.

10 Those people will teach you and tell you

and speak about what they know.

11 Papyrus plants cannot grow where there is no swamp,

and reeds cannot grow tall without water.

12 While they are still growing and not yet cut,

they will dry up quicker than grass.

10 Shall not they teach thee, and tell thee,

And utter words out of their heart?

11 Can the rush grow up without mire?

Can the flag grow without water?

12 Whilst it is yet in its greenness, and not cut down,

It withereth before any other herb.

10 Shall not they teach thee, and tell thee, and utter words out of their heart? 11 Doth the papyrus shoot up without mire? doth the reed-grass grow without water? 12 Whilst it is yet in its greenness and not cut down, it withereth before any other grass.

10 Won’t their words teach you? 

Won’t they share their thoughts with you? 

11 “Can papyrus grow up where there is no swamp? 

Can rushes grow tall without water? 

12 Even if they were fresh and not cut, 

they would wither quicker than grass. 

10 Will they not teach you and tell you

and speak from their understanding?

11 Does papyrus grow where there is no marsh?

Do reeds flourish without water?

12 While still uncut shoots,

they would dry up quicker than any other plant.

10 Will they not teach you and tell you

and utter words out of their understanding?

11 “Can papyrus grow where there is no marsh?

Can reeds flourish where there is no water?

12 While yet in flower and not cut down,

they wither before any other plant.

10 Will they themselves not teach you and tell you

and utter words from their heart?

11 Can papyrus grow tall where there is not a marsh?

Will reeds flourish without water?

12 While it is in its flower and is not plucked,

yet it withers before all grass.

10 Won’t your people of long ago teach you and tell you?

Won’t the things they said help you understand?

11 Can grass grow tall where there isn’t any swamp?

Can plants grow well where there isn’t any water?

12 While they are still growing and haven’t been cut,

they dry up faster than grass does.

10 “Will they not teach you and tell you,

And bring forth words from their minds?

11 “Can the papyrus grow up without a marsh?

Can the rushes grow without water?

12 “While it is still green and not cut down,

Yet it withers before any other plant.