8  He who ^pdigs a pit will fall into it,

and ^qa serpent will bite him who breaks through a wall.

9  ^rHe who quarries stones is hurt by them,

and he who ^ssplits logs is endangered by them.

10  If the iron is blunt, and one does not sharpen the edge,

he must use more strength,

but wisdom helps one to succeed.¹

11  If the serpent bites before it is ^tcharmed,

there is no advantage to the charmer.