Ecclesiastes 10:8–10

He who digs a pit will fall into it,

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

He who quarries stones is hurt by them,

and he who splits logs is endangered by them.

If the iron is blunt, and one does not sharpen the edge,

he must use more strength,

but wisdom helps one to succeed.

The one who digs a pit may fall into it,

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

The one who quarries stones may be hurt by them;

the one who splits logs may be endangered by them.

If the ax is dull, and one does not sharpen its edge,

then one must exert more strength;

however, the advantage of wisdom is that it brings success.

When you dig a well,

you might fall in.

When you demolish an old wall,

you could be bitten by a snake.

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.

Using a dull ax requires great strength,

so sharpen the blade.

That’s the value of wisdom;

it helps you succeed.

Whoever digs a pit will fall into it.

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

Whoever quarries stones will be wounded by them.

Whoever splits logs will be endangered by them.

If the ax is blunt but one does not sharpen its edge,

he must exert more effort,

but the advantage of wisdom is it brings success.

He that diggeth a pit shall fall into it; and whoso breaketh an hedge, a serpent shall bite him. Whoso removeth stones shall be hurt therewith; and he that cleaveth wood shall be endangered thereby.

If the iron be blunt, and he do not whet the edge, then must he put to more strength: but wisdom is profitable to direct.