Ecclesiastes 10:10

In 11 translations

BSB

If the axe is dull and the blade unsharpened, more strength must be exerted, but skill produces success.

KJV

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.

WEB

If the ax is blunt, and one doesn’t sharpen the edge, then he must use more strength; but skill brings success.

ASV

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.

LSV

If the iron has been blunt, || And he has not sharpened the face, || Then he increases strength, || And wisdom [is] advantageous to make right.

YLT

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.

DBY

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.

DRC

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.

GNV

If the yron be blunt, and one hath not whet the edge, he must then put to more strength: but the excellencie to direct a thing is wisedome.

JPS

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.

LXXE

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.

Word by word Hebrew · tap a word

Words in brackets are English the glossers added; the Hebrew has no word for them, and they can carry a choice of tense or meaning.

Original-language editions

WLC

אִם־קֵהָ֣ה הַבַּרְזֶ֗ל וְהוּא֙ לֹא־פָנִ֣ים קִלְקַ֔ל וַחֲיָלִ֖ים יְגַבֵּ֑ר וְיִתְר֥וֹן הכשיר חָכְמָֽה׃Read aloud as (qere): הַכְשֵׁ֖רYathir readings in L which we have designated as Qeres when both Dothan and BHS list a Qere.

LXX-Br

Ἐὰν ἐκπέσῃ τὸ σιδήριον, καὶ αὐτὸς πρόσωπον ἐτάραξε· καὶ δυνάμεις δυναμώσει, καὶ περίσσεια τῷ ἀνδρὶ οὐ σοφία.

In the reference works topics that cite this verse

From public-domain Bible dictionaries and topical indexes (1884–1915).

Cross-references most cited first

• James 1:5Now if any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.
• Colossians 4:5Act wisely toward outsiders, redeeming the time.
• Ecclesiastes 10:15The toil of a fool wearies him, for he does not know the way to the city.
• 1 Corinthians 14:20Brothers, stop thinking like children. In regard to evil be infants, but in your thinking be mature.
• Ephesians 5:15–17Pay careful attention, then, to how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is.
• 1 Kings 3:9Therefore give Your servant an understanding heart to judge Your people and to discern between good and evil. For who is able to govern this great people of Yours?”
• Ecclesiastes 9:15–17Now a poor wise man was found in the city, and he saved the city by his wisdom. Yet no one remembered that poor man. And I said, “Wisdom is better than strength, but the wisdom of the poor man is despised, and his…
• Genesis 41:33–39Now, therefore, Pharaoh should look for a discerning and wise man and set him over the land of Egypt. Let Pharaoh take action and appoint commissioners over the land to take a fifth of the harvest of Egypt during the…
• Acts 6:1–9In those days when the disciples were increasing in number, the Grecian Jews among them began to grumble against the Hebraic Jews because their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food. So the…
• Romans 16:19Everyone has heard about your obedience, so I rejoice over you. But I want you to be wise about what is good and innocent about what is evil.
• 1 Chronicles 12:32From Issachar, men who understood the times and knew what Israel should do: 200 chiefs with all their kinsmen at their command.
• Exodus 18:19–23Now listen to me; I will give you some advice, and may God be with you. You must be the people’s representative before God and bring their causes to Him. Teach them the statutes and laws, and show them the way to live…
• 2 Chronicles 23:4–11This is what you are to do: A third of you priests and Levites who come on duty on the Sabbath shall keep watch at the doors, a third shall be at the royal palace, and a third at the Foundation Gate, while all the…
• Matthew 10:16Behold, I am sending you out like sheep among wolves; therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves.
• Acts 15:2–21And after engaging these men in sharp debate, Paul and Barnabas were appointed, along with some other believers, to go up to Jerusalem to see the apostles and elders about this question. Sent on their way by the…

From the OpenBible.info cross-reference set (votes from readers; not every link is a quotation or allusion).