NET Bible
"If the snake should bite before it is charmed, the snake charmer is in trouble."
— Ecclesiastes 10:11, NET Bible
“Surely the serpent will bite without enchantment; and a babbler is no better.”
“If the serpent bite before it is charmed, then is there no advantage in the charmer. ”
“If the snake bites before it is charmed, then is there no profit for the charmer's tongue.”
“If a serpent bite in silence, he is nothing better that backbiteth secretly.”
“If a snake gives a bite before the word of power is said, then there is no longer any use in the word of power.”
“Surely the serpent will bite without enchantment; and a babbler is no better.”
Wisdom is Needed to Avert Dangers in Everyday Life One who digs a pit may fall into it, and one who breaks through a wall may be bitten by a snake.
One who quarries stones may be injured by them; one who splits logs may be endangered by them.
If an iron axhead is blunt and a workman does not sharpen its edge, he must exert a great deal of effort; so wisdom has the advantage of giving success.
If the snake should bite before it is charmed, the snake charmer is in trouble.
Words and Works of Wise Men and Fools The words of a wise person win him favor, but the words of a fool are self-destructive.
At the beginning his words are foolish and at the end his talk is wicked madness,
yet a fool keeps on babbling. No one knows what will happen; who can tell him what will happen in the future?