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Source language
JPS Hebrew-English TANAKH   
אם קהה הברזל והוא לא פנים קלקל וחילים יגבר ויתרון הכשיר חכמה
Hebrew - Transliteration via code library   
Am qhh hbrzl vhvA lA pnym qlql vKHylym ygbr vytrvn hkSHyr KHkmh

Intermediate language
Vulgate (Latin)   
si retunsum fuerit ferrum et hoc non ut prius sed hebetatum erit multo labore exacuatur et post industriam sequitur sapientia

King James Variants
American King James Version   
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.
King James 2000 (out of print)   
If the iron is blunt, and he does not sharpen the edge, then must he use more strength: but wisdom helps one to succeed.
King James Bible (Cambridge, large print)   
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.
Authorized (King James) Version   
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.
New King James Version   
If the ax is dull, And one does not sharpen the edge, Then he must use more strength; But wisdom brings success.
21st Century King James Version   
If the ax be blunt and one does not whet the edge, then must he put to it more strength; but wisdom is profitable to direct him.

Other translations
American Standard Version   
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.
Darby Bible Translation   
If the iron be blunt, and one do not whet the edge, then must he apply more strength; but wisdom is profitable to give success.
Holy Bible: Douay-Rheims Version (Genuine Leather Black)   
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.
ERV 1885 English Revised Version with Strong's Concordance   
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.
English Standard Version Journaling Bible   
If the iron is blunt, and one does not sharpen the edge, he must use more strength, but wisdom helps one to succeed.
God's Word   
If an ax is blunt and the edge isn't sharpened, then one has to use more strength. But wisdom prepares the way for success.
Holman Christian Standard Bible   
If the ax 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.
International Standard Version   
If someone's ax is blunt—the edge isn't sharpened— then more strength will be needed. Putting wisdom to work will bring success.
NET Bible   
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.
New American Standard Bible   
If the axe is dull and he does not sharpen its edge, then he must exert more strength. Wisdom has the advantage of giving success.
New International Version   
If the ax is dull and its edge unsharpened, more strength is needed, but skill will bring success.
New Living Translation   
Using a dull ax requires great strength, so sharpen the blade. That's the value of wisdom; it helps you succeed.
Webster's Bible Translation   
If the iron is blunt, and he doth not whet the edge, then must he use more strength: but wisdom is profitable to direct.
The World English Bible   
If the axe is blunt, and one doesn't sharpen the edge, then he must use more strength; but skill brings success.
EasyEnglish Bible   
If your axe is not sharp, you will need to be very strong to use it. If you are wise, you will make the axe's edge sharp again. That is how wisdom helps you to do things well.
Young‘s Literal Translation   
If the iron hath been blunt, And he the face hath not sharpened, Then doth he increase strength, And wisdom [is] advantageous to make right.
New Life Version   
If the ax is not sharp and he does not make it sharp, then he must use more strength. Wisdom helps one to do well.
The Voice Bible   
If a tool is dull and no one sharpens its edge, the work will be harder; the advantage of wisdom is this: it brings success.
Living Bible   
A dull ax requires great strength; be wise and sharpen the blade.
New Catholic Bible   
If an ax becomes dull from lack of sharpening, then one must exert greater strength, but skill helps one to succeed.
Legacy Standard Bible   
If the axe is dull and he does not sharpen its edge, then he must exert more strength. Wisdom has the advantage of giving success.
Jubilee Bible 2000   
If the iron is blunt, and he does not whet the edge, then he must put forth more strength, but the advantages of wisdom excel.
Christian Standard Bible   
If the ax 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.
Amplified Bible © 1954   
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.
New Century Version   
A dull ax means harder work. Being wise will make it easier.
The Message   
Remember: The duller the ax the harder the work; Use your head: The more brains, the less muscle.
Evangelical Heritage Version ™   
If the ax is dull and no one sharpens its edge, the person chopping must apply more strength, but an advantage of wisdom is that it gives success.
New Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition   
If the iron is blunt, and one does not whet the edge, then more strength must be exerted; but wisdom helps one to succeed.
Good News Translation®   
If your ax is dull and you don't sharpen it, you have to work harder to use it. It is smarter to plan ahead.
Wycliffe Bible   
If iron is folded again, and it is not as before, but is made blunt, it shall be made sharp with much travail; and wisdom shall follow after busyness.
Contemporary English Version   
If you don't sharpen your ax, it will be harder to use; if you are wise, you'll know what to do.
Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition   
If the iron is blunt, and one does not whet the edge, he must put forth more strength; but wisdom helps one to succeed.
New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition   
If the iron is blunt and one does not whet the edge, then more strength must be exerted, but wisdom helps one to succeed.
New Revised Standard Version, Anglicised Catholic Edition   
If the iron is blunt, and one does not whet the edge, then more strength must be exerted; but wisdom helps one to succeed.
Common English Bible © 2011   
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.
Amplified Bible © 2015   
If the axe is dull and he does not sharpen its edge, then he must exert more strength; but wisdom [to sharpen the axe] helps him succeed [with less effort].
English Standard Version Anglicised   
If the iron is blunt, and one does not sharpen the edge, he must use more strength, but wisdom helps one to succeed.
New American Bible (Revised Edition)   
If the ax becomes dull, and the blade is not sharpened, then effort must be increased. But the advantage of wisdom is success.
New American Standard Bible   
If the axe is dull and he does not sharpen its edge, then he must exert more strength. Wisdom has the advantage of bringing success.
The Expanded Bible   
·A dull ax means harder work [L If the ax is blunt and the edge is not sharp, then he must increase his efforts]. ·Being wise will make it easier [L The advantage of wisdom is success].
Tree of Life Version   
If the iron axe is blunt and one doesn’t sharpen the edge, then he must exert more force. So wisdom has the advantage of giving success.
Revised Standard Version   
If the iron is blunt, and one does not whet the edge, he must put forth more strength; but wisdom helps one to succeed.
New International Reader's Version   
Suppose the blade of an ax is dull. And its edge hasn’t been sharpened. Then more effort is needed to use it. But skill will bring success.
BRG Bible   
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.
Complete Jewish Bible   
If the [hatchet’s] iron [blade] is blunt, and [its user] doesn’t sharpen it, he will have to exert more effort; but the expert has the advantage of his skill.
New Revised Standard Version, Anglicised   
If the iron is blunt, and one does not whet the edge, then more strength must be exerted; but wisdom helps one to succeed.
Orthodox Jewish Bible   
If the barzel (iron [of the axe]) be blunt, and he do not whet the edge, then must more strength be marshalled; but chochmah brings success.
Names of God Bible   
If an ax is blunt and the edge isn’t sharpened, then one has to use more strength. But wisdom prepares the way for success.
Modern English Version   
If an iron piece is blunt and there is no one to sharpen it, then he must prevail with more strength; but wisdom is a benefit to succeed.
Easy-to-Read Version   
But wisdom will make any job easier. It is very hard to cut with a dull knife. But if you sharpen the knife, the job is easier.
International Children’s Bible   
Cutting logs with a dull ax makes you work harder. A wise man will sharpen his ax. In the same way, wisdom can make any job easier.
Lexham English Bible   
If the ax is blunt but one does not sharpen its edge, he must exert more effort, but the advantage of wisdom is it brings success.
New International Version - UK   
If the axe is dull and its edge unsharpened, more strength is needed, but skill will bring success.