Ecclesiastes 10:7–9

7 I have seen slaves on horseback,

while princes go on foot like slaves.

8 Whoever digs a pit may fall into it;

whoever breaks through a wall may be bitten by a snake.

9 Whoever quarries stones may be injured by them;

whoever splits logs may be endangered by them.

7 I have seen slaves on horses, and princes walking on the ground like slaves.

8 He who digs a pit will fall into it,

and a serpent will bite him who breaks through a wall.

9 He who quarries stones is hurt by them,

and he who splits logs is endangered by them.

7 I have seen servants upon horses, and princes walking as servants upon the earth.

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.

7 I have even seen servants riding horseback like princes—and princes walking like servants!

8 When you dig a well,

you might fall in.

When you demolish an old wall,

you could be bitten by a snake.

9 When you work in a quarry,

stones might fall and crush you.

When you chop wood,

there is danger with each stroke of your ax.

7 I have seen servants on horses,

While princes walk on the ground like servants.

8 He who digs a pit will fall into it,

And whoever breaks through a wall will be bitten by a serpent.

9 He who quarries stones may be hurt by them,

And he who splits wood may be endangered by it.

7 I have seen servants ride horses

while princes walk like servants on foot.

8 Anyone who digs a pit might fall into it;

anyone who knocks down a wall might be bitten by a snake;

9 anyone who moves boulders might be hurt by them;

and anyone who cuts logs might be harmed by them.

7 I have seen servants upon horses, and princes walking like servants upon the earth.

8 He that diggeth a pit shall fall into it; and whoso breaketh through a wall, a serpent shall bite him. 9 Whoso heweth out stones shall be hurt therewith; and he that cleaveth wood is endangered thereby.

7 I have seen slaves sitting on horses and influential people going on foot like slaves. 

8 Whoever digs a pit may fall into it. Whoever breaks through a stone wall may be bitten by a snake. 9 Whoever works in a stone quarry may get hurt. Whoever splits wood may be injured. 

7 I have seen slaves on horses,

but princes walking on the ground like slaves.

8 The one who digs a pit may fall into it,

and the one who breaks through a wall may be bitten by a snake.

9 The one who quarries stones may be hurt by them;

the one who splits trees may be endangered by them.

7 I have seen slaves on horseback and princes walking on the ground like slaves.

8 Whoever digs a pit will fall into it,

and whoever breaks through a wall will be bitten by a snake.

9 Whoever quarries stones will be hurt by them,

and whoever splits logs will be endangered by them.

7 I have even seen slaves riding on horses

and princes walking like slaves on the earth!

8 Whoever digs a pit will fall into it.

Whoever breaks through a wall, a snake will bite him.

9 Whoever quarries stones will be wounded by them.

Whoever splits logs will be endangered by them.

7 I’ve seen slaves on horseback.

I’ve also seen princes who were forced to walk as if they were slaves.

8 Anyone who digs a pit might fall into it.

Anyone who breaks through a wall might be bitten by a snake.

9 Anyone who removes stones from rock pits might get hurt.

Anyone who cuts logs might get wounded.

7 I have seen slaves riding on horses and princes walking like slaves on the land.

8 He who digs a pit may fall into it, and a serpent may bite him who breaks through a wall.

9 He who quarries stones may be hurt by them, and he who splits logs may be endangered by them.