¹⁰ If the ax is dull
    and its edge unsharpened,
more strength is needed,
    but skill will bring success.

¹¹ If a snake bites before it is charmed,
    the charmer receives no fee.^(A)

¹² Words from the mouth of the wise are gracious,^(B)
    but fools are consumed by their own lips.^(C)
13 At the beginning their words are folly;
    at the end they are wicked madness—
¹⁴     and fools multiply words.^(D)

No one knows what is coming—
    who can tell someone else what will happen after them?^(E)

¹⁵ The toil of fools wearies them;
    they do not know the way to town.

¹⁶ Woe to the land whose king was a servant^[a](F)
    and whose princes feast in the morning.
¹⁷ Blessed is the land whose king is of noble birth
    and whose princes eat at a proper time—
    for strength and not for drunkenness.^(G)

¹⁸ Through laziness, the rafters sag;
    because of idle hands, the house leaks.^(H)

¹⁹ A feast is made for laughter,
    wine^(I) makes life merry,
    and money is the answer for everything.

²⁰ Do not revile the king^(J) even in your thoughts,
    or curse the rich in your bedroom,
because a bird in the sky may carry your words,
    and a bird on the wing may report what you say.