New Revised Standard Version
If the iron is blunt, and one does not whet the edge, then more strength must be exerted; but wisdom helps one to succeed.

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.

New American Bible
If the ax becomes dull, and the blade is not sharpened, then effort must be increased. But the advantage of wisdom is success.

Douay-Rheims Bible
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.

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.

wisdom

Ecclesiastes 10:15 The labour of fools shall afflict them that know not how to go to the city.

Ecclesiastes 9:15-17 Now there was found in it a man poor and wise, and he delivered the city by his wisdom, and no man afterward remembered that poor man. . . .

Genesis 41:33-39 Now therefore let the king provide a wise and industrious man, and make him ruler over the land of Egypt: . . .

Exodus 18:19-23 But hear my words and counsels, and God shall be with thee. Be thou to the people in those things that pertain to God, to bring their words to him: . . .

1 Kings 8:9 Now in the ark there was nothing else but the two tables of stone, which Moses put there at Horeb, when the Lord made a covenant with the children of Israel, when they came out of the land of Egypt.

1 Chronicles 12:32 Also of the sons of Issachar men of understanding, that knew all times to order what Israel should do, two hundred principal men: and all the rest of the tribe followed their counsel.

2 Chronicles 23:4-11 And this is the thing that you shall do: . . .

Matthew 10:16 Behold I send you as sheep in the midst of wolves. Be ye therefore wise as serpents and simple as doves.

Acts 6:1-9 And in those days, the number of the disciples increasing, there arose a murmuring of the Greeks against the Hebrews, for that their widows were neglected in the daily ministration. . . .

Acts 15:2 And when Paul and Barnabas had no small contest with them, they determined that Paul and Barnabas and certain others of the other side should go up to the apostles and priests to Jerusalem, about this question.

Romans 16:19 For your obedience is published in every place. I rejoice therefore in you. But I would have you to be wise in good and simple in evil.

1 Corinthians 14:20 Brethren, do not become children in sense. But in malice be children: and in sense be perfect.

Ephesians 5:15-17 See therefore, brethren, how you walk circumspectly: not as unwise, . . .

Colossians 4:5 Walk with wisdom towards them that are without, redeeming the time.

James 1:5 But if any of you want wisdom, let him ask of God who giveth to all men abundantly and upbraideth not. And it shall be given him.