Font Size
Ecclesiastes 10:10-13
Living Bible
Ecclesiastes 10:10-13
Living Bible
10 A dull ax requires great strength; be wise and sharpen the blade.
11 When the horse is stolen, it is too late to lock the barn.[a]
12-13 It is pleasant to listen to wise words, but a fool’s speech brings him to ruin. Since he begins with a foolish premise, his conclusion is sheer madness.
Read full chapterFootnotes
- Ecclesiastes 10:11 When the horse is stolen, it is too late to lock the barn, literally, “If the serpent bites before it is charmed, there is no advantage to the charmer.”
Ecclesiastes 10:10-12
New International Version
Ecclesiastes 10:10-12
New International Version
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)
Living Bible (TLB)
The Living Bible copyright © 1971 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
New International Version (NIV) 
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
NIV Reverse Interlinear Bible: English to Hebrew and English to Greek. Copyright © 2019 by Zondervan.