Ecclesiastes 10:11 — Compare All Translations

English (YLT) 1898 Young's Literal Translation by Robert Young

If the serpent biteth without enchantment, Then there is no advantage to a master of the tongue.

English ASV

If the serpent bite before it is charmed, then is there no advantage in the charmer.

English Amplified

If the serpent bites before it is charmed, then it is no use to call a charmer [and the slanderer is no better than the uncharmed snake].

English Amplified Classic Bible 1987

If the serpent bites before it is charmed, then it is no use to call a charmer [and the slanderer is no better than the uncharmed snake].

English Berean Standard Bible (BSB) 2025

If the snake bites before it is charmed, there is no profit for the charmer.

English CSB 2017 - Christian Standard Bible

If the snake bites before it is charmed, then there is no advantage for the charmer.

English Darby 1890 : Public Domain

If the serpent bite before enchantment, then the charmer hath no advantage.

English EASY 2024

Someone may have power over dangerous snakes. But that will not help him if the snake bites him first.

English ERV 2006 - Only For Website

Someone might know how to control snakes. But that skill is useless if a snake bites when that person is not around.

If the serpent bites before it is charmed, there is no advantage to the charmer.

English GNT (Good News Translation)

Knowing how to charm a snake is of no use if you let the snake bite first.

English God's Word - GW 1995

If a snake bites before it has been charmed, then there is no advantage in being a snake charmer.

English HCSB 2004 - Copyrighted Only For Website

If the snake bites before it is charmed, then there is no advantage for the charmer.

English KJV 1611

Surely the serpent will bite without enchantment; and a babbler is no better.

English LSB

If the serpent bites before being charmed, there is no advantage for the charmer.

English MEV 2014 (Modern English Version)

If a serpent bites before it is charmed, there is no advantage to the charmer.

English NASB (New American Standard Bible - NASB 1995)

If the serpent bites before being charmed, there is no profit for the charmer.

English NASU 1989 - New American Standard Update - Only for Website

If the serpent bites because it has not been charmed, then there is no advantage for the charmer.

English NET Bible - 2005 (New English Translation)

If the snake should bite before it is charmed, the snake charmer is in trouble.

English NIRV 1996 - Copyrighted only for Website

Suppose a snake bites before it is charmed. Then there isn't any benefit in being a snake charmer.

English NIV

If a snake bites before it is charmed, there is no profit for the charmer.

English NKJ 1982

A serpent may bite when it is not charmed; The babbler is no different.

English NLT

It does no good to charm a snake after it has bitten you.

English NRSV 1989 - Only for website

If the snake bites before it is charmed, there is no advantage in a charmer.

English RSV (Revised Standard Version)

If the serpent bites before it is charmed, there is no advantage in a charmer.

English TL (The Living Bible) (1971)

When the horse is stolen, it is too late to lock the barn.

English Tyndale 1537

A babbler of his tongue is no better than a serpent that stingeth without hissing.

Ecclesiastes 10:11 — Compare Translations