17 How useless to spread a net

where every bird can see it!

18 These men lie in wait for their own blood;

they ambush only themselves!

17 Surely in vain the net is spread in the sight of any bird. 18 And they lay wait for their own blood; They lurk privily for their own lives.

17 If a bird sees a trap being set,

it knows to stay away.

18 But these people set an ambush for themselves;

they are trying to get themselves killed.

17 Surely, in vain the net is spread

In the sight of any bird;

18 But they lie in wait for their own blood,

They lurk secretly for their own lives.

17 It is useless to spread out a net

right where the birds can see it.

18 But sinners will fall into their own traps;

they will only catch themselves!

17 For in vain is the net spread

In the sight of any bird:

18 And these lay wait for their own blood;

They lurk privily for their own lives.

17 For in vain the net is spread in the sight of anything which hath wings. 18 And these lay wait for their own blood; they lurk secretly for their own lives.

17 It does no good to spread a net 

within the sight of any bird. 

18 But these people set an ambush for their own murder. 

They go into hiding only to lose their lives. 

17 It is foolish to spread a net

where any bird can see it,

18 but they set an ambush to kill themselves;

they attack their own lives.

17 For in vain is the net baited

while the bird is looking on;

18 yet they lie in wait—to kill themselves!

and set an ambush—for their own lives!

17 for “in vain is the net scattered,

in the sight of any winged bird.”

18 They lie in wait for their own blood.

They ambush their own lives.

17 How useless it is to spread a net

while all the birds are watching!

18 Those who hide and wait will spill their own blood.

They will be caught in their own trap.

17 Indeed, it is useless to spread the baited net

In the sight of any bird;

18 But they lie in wait for their own blood;

They ambush their own lives.