1 Like snow in summer and like rain in harvest,

So honor is not fitting for a fool.

2 Like a sparrow in its*26:2 Lit wanderingflitting, like a swallow in its flying,

So a curse without cause does not come to rest.

3 A whip is for the horse, a bridle for the donkey,

And a rod for the back of fools.

4 Do not answer a fool *26:4 I.e., taking his question or argument seriouslyaccording to his foolishness,

Or you will also be like him.

5 Answer a fool as his foolishness deserves,

So that he will not be wise in his own eyes.

6 One who sends a message by the hand of a fool

Chops off his own feet and drinks violence.

7 Like*26:7 Lit legs that dangle from one paralyzeduseless legs to one who cannot walk,

So is a proverb in the mouths of fools.

8 Like *26:8 Lit the binding ofone who binds a stone in a sling,

So is one who gives honor to a fool.

9 Like a thorn that*26:9 Lit goes upsticks in the hand of a heavy drinker,

So is a proverb in the mouths of fools.

10 * 26:10 Or A master workman produces all things, But one who hires a fool is like one who hires those who pass by Like an archer who wounds everyone,

So is one who hires a fool or hires those who pass by.

11 Like a dog that returns to its vomit,

So is a fool who repeats *26:11 Lit with hishis foolishness.

12 Do you see a person wise in his own eyes?

There is more hope for a fool than for him.

13 * 26:13 Lit an idle, and so throughout the ch A lazy one says, "There is a lion on the road!

A lion is *26:13 Lit withinin the public square!"

14 As the door turns on its hinges,

So does a lazy one on his bed.

15 A lazy one buries his hand in the dish;

He is weary of bringing it to his mouth again.

16 A lazy one is wiser in his own eyes

Than seven people who can *26:16 Lit return discreetlygive a discreet answer.

17 Like one who takes a dog by the ears,

So is one who passes by and*26:17 Lit infuriates himselfmeddles with strife not belonging to him.

18 Like a maniac who shoots

Flaming arrows, arrows, and death,

19 So is a person who deceives his neighbor,

And says, "Was I not joking?"

20 For lack of wood the fire goes out,

And where there is no gossiper, quarreling quiets down.

21 Like charcoal to hot embers and wood to fire,

So is a contentious person to kindle strife.

22 The words of a gossiper are like dainty morsels,

And they go down into the *26:22 Lit chambers of the bellyinnermost parts of the body.

23 Like an earthenware vessel overlaid with silver *26:23 Lit drossimpurities

Are burning lips and a wicked heart.

24 One who hates disguises it with his lips,

But he harbors deceit in his *26:24 Lit inward partheart.

25 When *26:25 Lit his voice is gracioushe speaks graciously, do not believe him,

Because there are seven abominations in his heart.

26 Though his hatred covers itself with deception,

His wickedness will be revealed in the assembly.

27 One who digs a pit will fall into it,

And one who rolls a stone, it will come back on him.

28 A lying tongue hates *26:28 Lit its crushed onesthose it crushes,

And a flattering mouth works ruin.