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.

10 If the ax is dull

and its edge unsharpened,

more strength is needed,

but skill will bring success.

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.

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

he must use more strength,

but wisdom helps one to succeed.

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.

10 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.

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.

10 Using a dull ax requires great strength,

so sharpen the blade.

That’s the value of wisdom;

it helps you succeed.

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.

10 A dull ax means

harder work.

Being wise will make it easier.

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

8 He that diggeth a pit falleth into it; and whoso breaketh down a hedge, a serpent biteth him. 9 Whoso removeth stones is hurt therewith; he that cleaveth wood is endangered thereby. 10 If the iron be blunt, and one do not whet the edge, then must he apply more strength; but wisdom is profitable to give success.

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. 

10 If an ax is blunt and the edge isn’t sharpened, then one has to use more strength. But wisdom prepares the way for success.

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.

10 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.

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.

10 If the iron is blunt, and one does not whet the edge,

then more strength must be exerted;

but wisdom helps one to succeed.

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.

10 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.

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.

10 Suppose the blade of an ax is dull.

And its edge hasn’t been sharpened.

Then more effort is needed to use it.

But skill will bring success.

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.

10 If the axe is dull and he does not sharpen its edge, then he must exert more strength. Wisdom has the advantage of giving success.