He who (A)digs a pit will fall into it,
    and (B)a serpent will bite him who breaks through a wall.
(C)He who quarries stones is hurt by them,
    and he who (D)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.[a]
11 If the serpent bites before it is (E)charmed,
    there is no advantage to the charmer.

12 The words of a wise man's mouth (F)win him favor,[b]
    but (G)the lips of a fool consume him.
13 The beginning of the words of his mouth is foolishness,
    and the end of his talk is evil madness.
14 (H)A fool multiplies words,
    though no man knows what is to be,
    and who can tell him (I)what will be after him?
15 The toil of a fool wearies him,
    for he does not know (J)the way to the city.

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. Ecclesiastes 10:10 Or wisdom is an advantage for success
  2. Ecclesiastes 10:12 Or are gracious

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