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Myles Coverdale Bible
Ecclesiastes 10:10
When an yron is blont, and ye poynt not sharpened, it must be whett againe, and that with might: Euen so doth wi?dome folowe diligence.
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Christian Standard Bible®
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.
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.
Hebrew Names Version
If the ax is blunt, and one doesn't sharpen the edge, then he must use more strength; but skill brings success.
If the ax is blunt, and one doesn't sharpen the edge, then he must use more strength; but skill brings success.
King James Version
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.
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.
English Standard Version
If the iron is blunt, and one does not sharpen the edge, he must use more strength, but wisdom helps one to succeed.
If the iron is blunt, and one does not sharpen the edge, he must use more strength, but wisdom helps one to succeed.
New American Standard Bible
If the axe is dull and he does not sharpen its edge, then he must exert more strength. Wisdom has the advantage of bringing success.
If the axe is dull and he does not sharpen its edge, then he must exert more strength. Wisdom has the advantage of bringing success.
New Century Version
A dull ax means harder work. Being wise will make it easier.
A dull ax means harder work. Being wise will make it easier.
Amplified Bible
If the axe is dull and he does not sharpen its edge, then he must exert more strength; but wisdom [to sharpen the axe] helps him succeed [with less effort].
If the axe is dull and he does not sharpen its edge, then he must exert more strength; but wisdom [to sharpen the axe] helps him succeed [with less effort].
World English Bible
If the ax is blunt, and one doesn't sharpen the edge, then he must use more strength; but skill brings success.
If the ax is blunt, and one doesn't sharpen the edge, then he must use more strength; but skill brings success.
Geneva Bible (1587)
If the yron be blunt, & one hath not whet the edge, he must then put to more strength: but the excellencie to direct a thing is wisedome.
If the yron be blunt, & one hath not whet the edge, he must then put to more strength: but the excellencie to direct a thing is wisedome.
Legacy Standard Bible
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.
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.
Berean Standard Bible
If the ax is dull and the blade unsharpened, more strength must be exerted, but skill will produce success.
If the ax is dull and the blade unsharpened, more strength must be exerted, but skill will produce success.
Contemporary English Version
If you don't sharpen your ax, it will be harder to use; if you are smart, you'll know what to do.
If you don't sharpen your ax, it will be harder to use; if you are smart, you'll know what to do.
Complete Jewish Bible
If the [hatchet's] iron [blade] is blunt, and [its user] doesn't sharpen it, he will have to exert more effort; but the expert has the advantage of his skill.
If the [hatchet's] iron [blade] is blunt, and [its user] doesn't sharpen it, he will have to exert more effort; but the expert has the advantage of his skill.
Darby Translation
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.
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.
Easy-to-Read Version
But wisdom will make any job easier. It is very hard to cut with a dull knife. But if you sharpen the knife, the job is easier.
But wisdom will make any job easier. It is very hard to cut with a dull knife. But if you sharpen the knife, the job is easier.
George Lamsa Translation
Just as the edge of a weapon may be blunt, and not sharpened, and yet may cause many to be slain, so wisdom is more advantageous to those who are diligent.
Just as the edge of a weapon may be blunt, and not sharpened, and yet may cause many to be slain, so wisdom is more advantageous to those who are diligent.
Good News Translation
If your ax is dull and you don't sharpen it, you have to work harder to use it. It is smarter to plan ahead.
If your ax is dull and you don't sharpen it, you have to work harder to use it. It is smarter to plan ahead.
Lexham English Bible
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.
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.
Literal Translation
If the iron is blunt, and he does not whet the mouths, then he must put more strength to it . But wisdom is an advantage giving success.
If the iron is blunt, and he does not whet the mouths, then he must put more strength to it . But wisdom is an advantage giving success.
American Standard Version
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.
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.
Bible in Basic English
If the iron has no edge, and he does not make it sharp, then he has to put out more strength; but wisdom makes things go well.
If the iron has no edge, and he does not make it sharp, then he has to put out more strength; but wisdom makes things go well.
JPS Old Testament (1917)
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.
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.
King James Version (1611)
If the yron be blunt, and he doe not whet the edge, then must he put to more strength: but wisedome is profitable to direct.
If the yron be blunt, and he doe not whet the edge, then must he put to more strength: but wisedome is profitable to direct.
Bishop's Bible (1568)
When an iron is blunt and the poynt not sharpened, it must be whet agayne, and that with might: Euen so doth wisdome folowe diligence.
When an iron is blunt and the poynt not sharpened, it must be whet agayne, and that with might: Euen so doth wisdome folowe diligence.
Brenton's Septuagint (LXX)
If the axe-head should fall off, then the man troubles his countenance, and he must put forth more strength: and in that case skill is of no advantage to a man.
If the axe-head should fall off, then the man troubles his countenance, and he must put forth more strength: and in that case skill is of no advantage to a man.
English Revised Version
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.
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.
Wycliffe Bible (1395)
If yrun is foldid ayen, and this is not as bifore, but is maad blunt, it schal be maad scharp with myche trauel; and wisdom schal sue aftir bisynesse.
If yrun is foldid ayen, and this is not as bifore, but is maad blunt, it schal be maad scharp with myche trauel; and wisdom schal sue aftir bisynesse.
Update Bible Version
If the iron is blunt, and one does not whet the edge, then he must use more strength: but wisdom is profitable to direct.
If the iron is blunt, and one does not whet the edge, then he must use more strength: but wisdom is profitable to direct.
Webster's Bible Translation
If the iron is blunt, and he doth not whet the edge, then must he use more strength: but wisdom [is] profitable to direct.
If the iron is blunt, and he doth not whet the edge, then must he use more strength: but wisdom [is] profitable to direct.
New English Translation
If an iron axhead is blunt and a workman does not sharpen its edge, he must exert a great deal of effort; so wisdom has the advantage of giving success.
If an iron axhead is blunt and a workman does not sharpen its edge, he must exert a great deal of effort; so wisdom has the advantage of giving success.
New King James Version
If the ax is dull, And one does not sharpen the edge, Then he must use more strength; But wisdom brings success.
If the ax is dull, And one does not sharpen the edge, Then he must use more strength; But wisdom brings success.
New Living Translation
Using a dull ax requires great strength, so sharpen the blade. That's the value of wisdom; it helps you succeed.
Using a dull ax requires great strength, so sharpen the blade. That's the value of wisdom; it helps you succeed.
New Life Bible
If the ax is not sharp and he does not make it sharp, then he must use more strength. Wisdom helps one to do well.
If the ax is not sharp and he does not make it sharp, then he must use more strength. Wisdom helps one to do well.
New Revised Standard
If the iron is blunt, and one does not whet the edge, then more strength must be exerted; but wisdom helps one to succeed.
If the iron is blunt, and one does not whet the edge, then more strength must be exerted; but wisdom helps one to succeed.
J.B. Rotherham Emphasized Bible
If, blunt, be the iron, and, himself, hath not sharpened, the edge, then, much force, must he apply, - but, an advantage for giving success, is wisdom.
If, blunt, be the iron, and, himself, hath not sharpened, the edge, then, much force, must he apply, - but, an advantage for giving success, is wisdom.
Douay-Rheims Bible
If the iron be blunt, and be not as before, but be made blunt, with much labour it shall be sharpened: and after industry shall follow wisdom.
If the iron be blunt, and be not as before, but be made blunt, with much labour it shall be sharpened: and after industry shall follow wisdom.
Revised Standard Version
If the iron is blunt, and one does not whet the edge, he must put forth more strength; but wisdom helps one to succeed.
If the iron is blunt, and one does not whet the edge, he must put forth more strength; but wisdom helps one to succeed.
Young's Literal Translation
If the iron hath been blunt, And he the face hath not sharpened, Then doth he increase strength, And wisdom [is] advantageous to make right.
If the iron hath been blunt, And he the face hath not sharpened, Then doth he increase strength, And wisdom [is] advantageous to make right.
THE MESSAGE
Remember: The duller the ax the harder the work; Use your head: The more brains, the less muscle.
Remember: The duller the ax the harder the work; Use your head: The more brains, the less muscle.
New American Standard Bible (1995)
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.
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.
Contextual Overview
4 Yf a principall sprete be geue the to beare rule, be not negliget the in thine office: for so shal greate wickednesse be put downe, as it were wt a medecyne. 5 Another plage is there, which I haue sene vnder the Sonne: namely, ye ignoraunce yt is comonly amonge prynces: 6 in yt a foole sytteth in greate dignite, & the rich are sett downe beneth: 7 I se seruauntes ryde vpon horses, & prynces goinge vpon their fete as it were seruauntes. 8 But he yt dyggeth vp a pytt, shall fall therin himself: & who so breaketh downe the hedge, a serpent shal byte him. 9 Who so remoueth stones, shall haue trauayle withall: and he that heweth wod, shalbe hurt therwith. 10 When an yron is blont, and ye poynt not sharpened, it must be whett againe, and that with might: Euen so doth wi?dome folowe diligence. 11 A babler of his tonge is no better, then a serpent that styngeth without hyssynge.
Bible Verse Review
from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge
wisdom: Ecclesiastes 10:15, Ecclesiastes 9:15-17, Genesis 41:33-39, Exodus 18:19-23, 1 Kings 3:9, 1 Chronicles 12:32, 2 Chronicles 23:4-11, Matthew 10:16, Acts 6:1-9, Acts 15:2-21, Romans 16:19, 1 Corinthians 14:20, Ephesians 5:15-17, Colossians 4:5, James 1:5
Reciprocal: 2 Kings 6:5 - ax head Proverbs 2:11 - General Ecclesiastes 10:2 - but
Cross-References
Genesis 11:2
Now as they wente towarde the East, they founde a playne in ye londe of Synear, & there they dwelt,
Now as they wente towarde the East, they founde a playne in ye londe of Synear, & there they dwelt,
Genesis 11:9
Therfore is it called Babell, because the LORDE cofounded there the language of all the worlde, and from thece scatred them abrode in to all londes.
Therfore is it called Babell, because the LORDE cofounded there the language of all the worlde, and from thece scatred them abrode in to all londes.
Genesis 14:1
And it chaunsed in the tyme of Amraphel the kynge of Synear, Arioch the kynge of Ellasar, Kedorlaomer the kinge of Elam, & Thy deal the kynge of ye Heithen,
And it chaunsed in the tyme of Amraphel the kynge of Synear, Arioch the kynge of Ellasar, Kedorlaomer the kinge of Elam, & Thy deal the kynge of ye Heithen,
Isaiah 10:9
Is not Calno as easie to wynne, as Charchamis? Is it harder to conquere Antiochia then Arphad? Or is it lighter to ouercome Damascus the Samaria?
Is not Calno as easie to wynne, as Charchamis? Is it harder to conquere Antiochia then Arphad? Or is it lighter to ouercome Damascus the Samaria?
Isaiah 11:11
At the same tyme shal the LORDE take in honde agayne, to conquere ye remnaunt of his people (which are lefft alyue) From the Assirias, Egiptians, Arabians, Morians, Elamites, Caldeyes, Antiochias and Ilodes of the see.
At the same tyme shal the LORDE take in honde agayne, to conquere ye remnaunt of his people (which are lefft alyue) From the Assirias, Egiptians, Arabians, Morians, Elamites, Caldeyes, Antiochias and Ilodes of the see.
Isaiah 39:1
At the same tyme Merodach Balada, Baladas sonne kinge of Babilon, sent lettres and presentes to Ezechias. For he vnderstode, how that he had bene sick, & was recouered agayne.
At the same tyme Merodach Balada, Baladas sonne kinge of Babilon, sent lettres and presentes to Ezechias. For he vnderstode, how that he had bene sick, & was recouered agayne.
Jeremiah 50:21
Go downe (o thou avenger) in to the enemies londe, & viset them that dwell therin: downe with them, and smyte them vpon the backes, saieth the LORDE: do acordinge to all, that I haue commaunded the.
Go downe (o thou avenger) in to the enemies londe, & viset them that dwell therin: downe with them, and smyte them vpon the backes, saieth the LORDE: do acordinge to all, that I haue commaunded the.
Daniel 1:2
and the LORDE delyuered Ioachim the kynge off Iuda in to his honde, with certayne ornamentes of the house off God, which he caried awaye vnto the londe of Sennar, to the house of his god and there brought them in to his gods treasury.
and the LORDE delyuered Ioachim the kynge off Iuda in to his honde, with certayne ornamentes of the house off God, which he caried awaye vnto the londe of Sennar, to the house of his god and there brought them in to his gods treasury.
Amos 6:2
Go vnto Calne, and se: and from thence get you to Hemath the greate cite, and so go downe to Gath of the Philistines: be they better at ease then these kyngdomes, or the border of their londe wyder then yours?
Go vnto Calne, and se: and from thence get you to Hemath the greate cite, and so go downe to Gath of the Philistines: be they better at ease then these kyngdomes, or the border of their londe wyder then yours?
Micah 4:10
And now (o thou doughter Sion) be sory, let it greue the as a wife laboringe with childe: for now must thou get the out off the cite, and dwell vpon the playne felde: Yee vnto Babilo shalt thou go, there shalt thou be delyuered, and there the LORDE shal lowse the from the honde off thine enemies.
And now (o thou doughter Sion) be sory, let it greue the as a wife laboringe with childe: for now must thou get the out off the cite, and dwell vpon the playne felde: Yee vnto Babilo shalt thou go, there shalt thou be delyuered, and there the LORDE shal lowse the from the honde off thine enemies.
Gill's Notes on the Bible
If the iron be blunt,.... With which a man cleaves wood: the axe, made of iron:
and he do not whet the edge; with some proper instrument to make it sharper, that it may cut the more easily;
then must he put to more strength; he must give a greater blow, strike the harder, and use more force; and yet it may not be sufficient, or; it may be to no purpose, and he himself may be in the greatest danger of being hurt; as such are who push things with all their might and main, without judgment and discretion;
but wisdom [is] profitable to direct; this is the "excellency" of wisdom, that it puts a man in the right way of doing things, and of doing them right; it directs him to take the best methods, and pursue the best ways and means of doing things, both for his own good and the good of others; and so it is better than strength, Ecclesiastes 9:16.
Barnes' Notes on the Bible
The figures seem to be taken from the work of building up and pulling down houses. In their general application, they recommend the man who would act wisely to be cautious when taking any step in life which involves risk.
Ecclesiastes 10:8
Breaketh an hedge - Rather: “breaks through a wall.”
Serpent - The habit of snakes is to nestle in a chink of a wall, or among stones (compare Amos 5:19).
Ecclesiastes 10:9
Be endangered - Rather: “cut himself.”
Clarke's Notes on the Bible
Verse Ecclesiastes 10:10. If the iron be blunt — If the axe have lost its edge, and the owner do not sharpen it, he must apply the more strength to make it cut: but the wisdom that is profitable to direct will teach him, that he should whet his axe, and spare his strength. Thus, without wisdom and understanding we cannot go profitably through the meanest concerns in life.
