Ecc 10:3, 10, Isa 44:12-17, 47:12-13, 55:2, 57:1, Hab 2:6, Mat 11:28-30 | ESV | STEP | Even when the fool walks on the road , he lacks sense , and he says to everyone that he is a fool .

10 If the iron is blunt, and one does not sharpen the edge,
he must use more strength,
but wisdom helps one to succeed. ^{▼▼Or wisdom is an advantage for success}

Isaiah 44:12-17

12 ^cThe ironsmith takes a cutting tool and works it over the coals. He fashions it with hammers and works it with his strong arm. He becomes hungry, and his strength fails; he drinks no water and is faint. 13 The carpenter stretches a line; he marks it out with a pencil. He shapes it with planes and marks it with a compass. ^dHe shapes it into the figure of a man, with the beauty of a man, to dwell in a house. 14 ^eHe cuts down cedars, or he chooses a cypress tree or an oak and lets it grow strong among the trees of the forest. He plants a cedar and the rain nourishes it. 15 Then it becomes fuel for a man. He takes a part of it and warms himself; he kindles a fire and bakes bread. Also he makes a god and worships it; he makes it an idol and falls down before it. 16 Half of it he burns in the fire. Over the half he eats meat; he roasts it and is satisfied. Also he warms himself and says, “Aha, I am warm, I have seen the fire!” 17 And the rest of it he makes into a god, his idol, and falls down to it and worships it. ^fHe prays to it and says, “Deliver me, for you are my god!”

Isaiah 47:12-13

12 ^gStand fast in your enchantments
and your many sorceries,
with which you have labored from your youth;
perhaps you may be able to succeed;
perhaps you may inspire terror.
13 You are wearied with your many counsels;
let them stand forth and save you,
^hthose who divide the heavens,
who gaze at the stars,
who at the new moons make known
what shall come upon you.

Isaiah 55:2

2 ⁱWhy do you spend your money for that which is not bread,
and your labor for that which does not satisfy?
Listen diligently to me, and eat what is good,
and delight yourselves in rich food.

Isaiah 57:1

Israel’s Futile Idolatry

1 The righteous man perishes,
and no one lays it to heart;
^jdevout men are taken away,
while no one understands.
For the righteous man is taken away from calamity;

Habakkuk 2:6

Woe to the Chaldeans

6 Shall not all these ^ktake up their taunt against him, with scoffing and riddles for him, and say,

^l“Woe to him ^mwho heaps up what is not his own—
for ⁿhow long?—
and ^oloads himself with pledges!”

Matthew 11:28-30

28 ^pCome to ^qme, all who labor and are ^rheavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and ^slearn from me, for I am ^tgentle and lowly in heart, and ^uyou will find rest for your souls. 30 For ^vmy yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”