1 L ike snow in summer and like rain in harvest, so honor is not fitting for a fool.

2 L ike the sparrow in her wandering, like the swallow in her flying, so the causeless curse does not alight.

3 A whip for the horse, a bridle for the donkey, and a rod for the backs of fools.

4 A nswer not a fool according to his folly, lest you also be like him.

5 A nswer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own eyes and conceit.

6 H e who sends a message by the hand of a fool cuts off the feet and drinks the damage.

7 L ike the legs of a lame man which hang loose, so is a parable in the mouth of a fool.

8 L ike he who binds a stone in a sling, so is he who gives honor to a fool.

9 L ike a thorn that goes into the hand of a drunken man, so is a proverb in the mouth of a fool.

10 l ike an archer who wounds all, so is he who hires a fool or chance passers-by.

11 A s a dog returns to his vomit, so a fool returns to his folly.

12 D o you see a man wise in his own eyes and conceit? There is more hope for a fool than for him.

13 T he sluggard says, There is a lion in the way! A lion is in the streets!

14 A s the door turns on its hinges, so does the lazy man upon his bed.

15 T he slothful and self-indulgent buries his hand in his bosom; it distresses and wearies him to bring it again to his mouth.

16 T he sluggard is wiser in his own eyes and conceit than seven men who can render a reason and answer discreetly.

17 H e who, passing by, stops to meddle with strife that is none of his business is like one who takes a dog by the ears.

18 L ike a madman who casts firebrands, arrows, and death,

19 S o is the man who deceives his neighbor and then says, Was I not joking?

20 F or lack of wood the fire goes out, and where there is no whisperer, contention ceases.

21 A s coals are to hot embers and as wood to fire, so is a quarrelsome man to inflame strife.

22 T he words of a whisperer or slanderer are like dainty morsels or words of sport; and they go down into the innermost parts of the body.

23 B urning lips and a wicked heart are like an earthen vessel covered with the scum thrown off from molten silver.

24 H e who hates pretends with his lips, but stores up deceit within himself.

25 W hen he speaks kindly, do not trust him, for seven abominations are in his heart.

26 T hough his hatred covers itself with guile, his wickedness shall be shown openly before the assembly.

27 W hoever digs a pit shall fall into it himself, and he who rolls a stone, it will return upon him.

28 A lying tongue hates those it wounds and crushes, and a flattering mouth works ruin.