1 As snow in summer, and as rain in harvest, so honour is not seemly for a fool. 2 As the bird by wandering, as the swallow by flying, so the curse causeless shall not come. 3 A whip for the horse, a bridle for the ass, and a rod for the fool’s back.

4 Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest thou also be like unto him. 5 Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own conceit.

6 He that sendeth a message by the hand of a fool cutteth off the feet, and drinketh damage. 7 The legs of the lame are not equal: so is a parable in the mouth of fools. 8 As he that bindeth a stone in a sling, so is he that giveth honour to a fool. 9 As a thorn goeth up into the hand of a drunkard, so is a parable in the mouth of fools. 10 The great God that formed all things both rewardeth the fool, and rewardeth transgressors. 11 As a dog returneth to his vomit, so a fool returneth to his folly. 12 Seest thou a man wise in his own conceit? there is more hope of a fool than of him. 13 The slothful man saith, There is a lion in the way; a lion is in the streets. 14 As the door turneth upon his hinges, so doth the slothful upon his bed. 15 The slothful hideth his hand in his bosom; it grieveth him to bring it again to his mouth. 16 The sluggard is wiser in his own conceit than seven men that can render a reason. 17 He that passeth by, and meddleth with strife belonging not to him, is like one that taketh a dog by the ears.

18 As a mad man who casteth firebrands, arrows, and death, 19 So is the man that deceiveth his neighbour, and saith, Am not I in sport?

20 Where no wood is, there the fire goeth out: so where there is no talebearer, the strife ceaseth. 21 As coals are to burning coals, and wood to fire; so is a contentious man to kindle strife. 22 The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly. 23 Burning lips and a wicked heart are like a potsherd covered with silver dross.

24 He that hateth dissembleth with his lips, and layeth up deceit within him; 25 When he speaketh fair, believe him not: for there are seven abominations in his heart. 26 Whose hatred is covered by deceit, his wickedness shall be shewed before the whole congregation. 27 Whoso diggeth a pit shall fall therein: and he that rolleth a stone, it will return upon him. 28 A lying tongue hateth those that are afflicted by it; and a flattering mouth worketh ruin.

1 Soos sneeu in die somer en soos reën in die oestyd, so pas eer nie by 'n dwaas nie.

2 Soos die voëltjie wegfladder, soos die swaweltjie wegvlieg, so is 'n vervloeking sonder oorsaak: dit kom nie uit nie.

3 'n Sweep is vir die perd, 'n toom vir die esel en 'n roede vir die rug van die dwase.

4 Antwoord 'n dwaas nie na sy sotheid nie, sodat jy ook nie net soos hy word nie.

5 Antwoord 'n dwaas na sy sotheid, sodat hy nie wys is in sy eie oë nie.

6 Hy kap sy voete af, hy ly onreg, wat 'n boodskap stuur deur middel van 'n dwaas.

7 Soos die bene van 'n lamme slap afhang, so is 'n spreuk in die mond van die dwase.

8 Soos een wat 'n klip in 'n slinger vasbind, so is hy wat eer gee aan 'n dwaas.

9 Soos 'n doring wat in die hand van 'n dronkaard geraak het, so is 'n spreuk in die mond van die dwase.

10 Soos 'n skutter wat alles in gevaar bring, is hy wat 'n dwaas huur, sowel as hy wat verbygangers huur.

11 Soos 'n hond wat na sy uitbraaksel teruggaan, is 'n dwaas wat sy sotheid weer ophaal.

12 Het jy 'n man gesien wat wys is in sy eie oë? Daar is meer hoop vir 'n dwaas as vir hom.

13 Die luiaard sê: Daar is 'n leeu op die pad, 'n leeu op die pleine.

14 'n Deur draai rond op sy skarniere, so die luiaard op sy bed.

15 Het die luiaard sy hand in die skottel gesteek, hy is te moeg om dit na sy mond terug te bring.

16 Die luiaard is wyser in sy eie oë as sewe wat verstandig antwoord.

17 Hy wat 'n verbylopende hond aan die ore gryp, is een wat hom vererg oor 'n twis wat hom nie aangaan nie.

18 Soos een wat onverskillig vuurpyle, dodelike pyle afskiet,

19 so is die man wat sy naaste bedrieg en sê: Ek speel somaar.

20 Deur gebrek aan hout gaan die vuur dood, en as daar geen kwaadstoker is nie, bedaar die twis.

21 Soos kole die gloed en hout die vuur laat opvlam, so is 'n twisgierige man om 'n twis aan te hits.

22 Die woorde van 'n kwaadstoker is soos lekkernye, en dit gly af na die kamers van die binneste.

23 Silwerskuim waarmee 'n potskerf oorgetrek is -- so is gloeiende lippe en 'n slegte hart.

24 Die hater veins met sy lippe, maar in sy binneste koester hy bedrog.

25 As hy sy stem lieflik maak, vertrou hom nie; want sewe gruwels is in sy hart.

26 Al verberg die haat homself in bedrog, sy boosheid word in die vergadering openbaar.

27 Wie 'n kuil grawe, sal daarin val; en hy wat 'n klip rol, dit sal na hom terugkom.

28 'n Valse tong haat die wat hy verbrysel het, en 'n gladde mond bewerk ondergang.