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

As snow in summer, and as rain in harvest, So honor is not seemly for a fool.

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

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 donkey, and a rod for the backs of fools.

A whip for the horse, a bridle for the ass, And a rod for the back of fools.

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

Answer not a fool according to his folly, Lest thou also be like unto him.

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

Answer a fool according to his folly, Lest he be wise in his own conceit.

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

He that sendeth a message by the hand of a fool Cutteth off his own feet, and drinketh in damage.

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

The legs of the lame hang loose: So is a parable in the mouth of fools.

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

As one that bindeth a stone in a sling, So is he that giveth 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.

As a thorn that goeth up into the hand of a drunkard, So is a parable in the mouth of fools.

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

As an archer that woundeth all, So is he that hireth a fool and he that hireth them that pass by.

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

As a dog that returneth to his vomit, So is a fool that repeateth 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.

Seest thou a man wise in his own conceit? There is more hope of a fool than of him.

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

The sluggard saith, 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.

As the door turneth upon its hinges, So doth the sluggard 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.

The sluggard burieth his hand in the dish; It wearieth 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.

The sluggard is wiser in his own conceit Than seven men that can render a reason.

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.

He that passeth by, and vexeth himself with strife belonging not to him, Is like one that taketh a dog by the ears.

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

As a madman who casteth firebrands, Arrows, and death,

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

So is the man that deceiveth his neighbor, And saith, Am not I in sport?

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

For lack of wood the fire goeth out; And where there is no whisperer, contention ceaseth.

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

As coals are to hot embers, and wood to fire, So is a contentious 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.

The words of a whisperer are as dainty morsels, And they go down into the innermost parts.

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

Fervent lips and a wicked heart Are like an earthen vessel overlaid with silver dross.

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

He that hateth dissembleth with his lips; But he layeth up deceit within him:

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

When he speaketh fair, believe him not; For there are seven abominations in his heart:

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

Though his hatred cover itself with guile, His wickedness shall be openly showed 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.

Whoso diggeth a pit shall fall therein; And he that rolleth a stone, it shall return upon him.

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

A lying tongue hateth those whom it hath wounded; And a flattering mouth worketh ruin.