So give your servant a receptive heart to judge your people and to discern between good and evil. For who is able to judge this great people of yours? ’
Ecclesiastes 10:10 - Christian Standard Bible Anglicised If the axe is dull, and one does not sharpen its edge, then one must exert more strength; however, the advantage of wisdom is that it brings success. Tuilleadh leaganachaKing James Version (Oxford) 1769 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 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) 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 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 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 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. |
So give your servant a receptive heart to judge your people and to discern between good and evil. For who is able to judge this great people of yours? ’
From the Issacharites, who understood the times and knew what Israel should do: 200 chiefs with all their relatives under their command.
If the snake bites before it is charmed, then there is no advantage for the charmer.
The struggles of fools weary them, for they don’t know how to go to the city.
The one who quarries stones may be hurt by them; the one who splits logs may be endangered by them.
And I realised that there is an advantage to wisdom over folly, like the advantage of light over darkness.
Wisdom is better than weapons of war, but one sinner can destroy much good.
‘Look, I’m sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves.
The report of your obedience has reached everyone. Therefore I rejoice over you, but I want you to be wise about what is good, and yet innocent about what is evil.
Brothers and sisters, don’t be childish in your thinking, but be infants in regard to evil and adult in your thinking.
when I sharpen my flashing sword, and my hand takes hold of judgement, I will take vengeance on my adversaries and repay those who hate me.
Now if any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God #– #who gives to all generously and ungrudgingly #– #and it will be given to him.