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You could even get hurt
by chiseling a stone
    or chopping a log.
10 If you don't sharpen your ax,
    it will be harder to use;
if you are wise,
    you'll know what to do.[a]
11 The power to charm a snake
does you no good
    if it bites you anyway.

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Footnotes

  1. 10.10 do: One possible meaning for the difficult Hebrew text of verse 10.

Whoever quarries stones may be injured by them;
    whoever splits logs may be endangered by them.(A)

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.(B)

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