Ecclesiastes 10:10 - Revised Standard Version (RSV-CI)

¹⁰ If the iron is blunt, and one does not whet the edge, he must put forth more strength; but wisdom helps one to succeed.

More versions

King James Version (Oxford) 1769

¹⁰ 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.

Amplified Bible - Classic Edition

¹⁰ If the ax is dull and the man does not whet the edge, he must put forth more strength; but wisdom helps him to succeed.

American Standard Version (1901)

¹⁰ 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.

Common English Bible

¹⁰ If an ax is dull and one doesn’t sharpen it first, then one must exert more force. It’s profitable to be skillful and wise.

Catholic Public Domain Version

¹⁰ If the iron is dull, and if it was not that way before, but has been made dull by much labor, then it will be sharpened. And wisdom will follow after diligence.

Douay-Rheims version of The Bible - 1752 version

¹⁰ 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.

Ecclesiastes 10:10 Cross References

1 Kings 3:9

Give thy servant therefore an understanding mind to govern thy people, that I may discern between good and evil; for who is able to govern this thy great people?”

1 Chronicles 12:32

Of Issachar men who had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do, two hundred chiefs, and all their kinsmen under their command.

Ecclesiastes 10:11

If the serpent bites before it is charmed, there is no advantage in a charmer.

Ecclesiastes 10:15

The toil of a fool wearies him, so that he does not know the way to the city.

Ecclesiastes 10:9

He who quarries stones is hurt by them; and he who splits logs is endangered by them.

Ecclesiastes 2:13

Then I saw that wisdom excels folly as light excels darkness.

Ecclesiastes 9:18

Wisdom is better than weapons of war, but one sinner destroys much good.

Matthew 10:16

“Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves; so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves.

Romans 16:19

For while your obedience is known to all, so that I rejoice over you, I would have you wise as to what is good and guileless as to what is evil;

1 Corinthians 14:20

Brethren, do not be children in your thinking; be babes in evil, but in thinking be mature.

Deuteronomy 32:41

if I whet my glittering sword, and my hand takes hold on judgment, I will take vengeance on my adversaries, and will requite those who hate me.

Colossians 4:5

Conduct yourselves wisely toward outsiders, making the most of the time.

James 1:5

If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives to all men generously and without reproaching, and it will be given him.