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 As snow in summer, and as rain in harvest,

So honor is not seemly for a fool.

2 As the sparrow in her wandering, as the swallow in her flying,

So the curse that is causeless alighteth not.

3 A whip for the horse, a bridle for the ass,

And a rod for the back of fools.

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 his own feet, and drinketh in damage.

7 The legs of the lame hang loose;

So is a parable in the mouth of fools.

8 As one that bindeth a stone in a sling,

So is he that giveth honor to a fool.

9 As a thorn that goeth up into the hand of a drunkard,

So is a parable in the mouth of fools.

10 As an archer that woundeth all,

So is he that hireth a fool and he that hireth them that pass by.

11 As a dog that returneth to his vomit,

So is a fool that repeateth his folly.

12 Seest thou a man wise in his own conceit?

There is more hope of a fool than of him.

13 The sluggard saith, There is a lion in the way;

A lion is in the streets.

14 As the door turneth upon its hinges,

So doth the sluggard upon his bed.

15 The sluggard burieth his hand in the dish;

It wearieth 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 vexeth himself with strife belonging not to him,

Is like one that taketh a dog by the ears.

18 As a madman who casteth firebrands,

Arrows, and death,

19 So is the man that deceiveth his neighbor,

And saith, Am not I in sport?

20 For lack of wood the fire goeth out;

And where there is no whisperer, contention ceaseth.

21 As coals are to hot embers, and wood to fire,

So is a contentious man to inflame strife.

22 The words of a whisperer are as dainty morsels,

And they go down into the innermost parts.

23 Fervent lips and a wicked heart

Are like an earthen vessel overlaid with silver dross.

24 He that hateth dissembleth with his lips;

But he layeth up deceit within him:

25 When he speaketh fair, believe him not;

For there are seven abominations in his heart:

26 Though his hatred cover itself with guile,

His wickedness shall be openly showed before the assembly.

27 Whoso diggeth a pit shall fall therein;

And he that rolleth a stone, it shall return upon him.

28 A lying tongue hateth those whom it hath wounded;

And a flattering mouth worketh ruin.