Parallel Strong's Berean Study BibleIf the axe is dull and the blade unsharpened, more strength must be exerted, but skill produces success. 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. King James 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. Hebrew Ifאִם־ (’im-) Conjunction Strong's 518: Lo!, whether?, if, although, Oh that!, when, not the ax הַבַּרְזֶ֗ל (hab·bar·zel) Article | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 1270: Iron, an iron implement is dull קֵהָ֣ה (qê·hāh) Verb - Piel - Perfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 6949: To be blunt or dull and וְהוּא֙ (wə·hū) Conjunctive waw | Pronoun - third person masculine singular Strong's 1931: He, self, the same, this, that, as, are the blade פָנִ֣ים (p̄ā·nîm) Noun - masculine plural Strong's 6440: The face unsharpened, קִלְקַ֔ל (qil·qal) Verb - Piel - Perfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 7043: To be slight, swift or trifling more strength וַחֲיָלִ֖ים (wa·ḥă·yā·lîm) Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine plural Strong's 2428: A force, an army, wealth, virtue, valor, strength must be exerted, יְגַבֵּ֑ר (yə·ḡab·bêr) Verb - Piel - Imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 1396: To be strong, to prevail, act insolently but skill חָכְמָֽה׃ (ḥāḵ·māh) Noun - feminine singular Strong's 2451: Wisdom will produce וְיִתְר֥וֹן (wə·yiṯ·rō·wn) Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 3504: Preeminence, gain success. הַכְשֵׁ֖רהכשירהַכְשֵׁ֖ר (haḵ·šêr) Verb - Hifil - Infinitive construct Strong's 3787: To be advantageous, proper, or suitable, to succeed |