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

As snow in summer and 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.

Like a flitting sparrow, like a flying swallow, So a curse without cause shall not alight.

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 donkey, And a rod for the fool’s back.

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

Do not answer 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.

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

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

He who sends a message by the hand of a fool Cuts off his own feet and drinks violence.

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

Like the legs of the lame that hang limp Is a proverb 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.

Like one who binds a stone in a sling 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.

Like a thorn that goes into the hand of a drunkard Is a proverb in the mouth of fools.

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

The great God who formed everything Gives the fool his hire and the transgressor his wages.

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

As a dog returns to his own vomit, So a fool repeats 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.

Do you see a man wise in his own eyes? 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!

The lazy man says, “ There is a lion in the road! A fierce lion is in the streets!”

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

As a door turns on its hinges, So does the lazy man on 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 lazy man buries his hand in the bowl; It wearies him to bring it back 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 lazy man is wiser in his own eyes Than seven men who can answer sensibly.

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 who passes by and meddles in a quarrel not his own Is like one who takes a dog by the ears.

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

Like a madman who throws firebrands, arrows, and death,

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

Is the man who deceives his neighbor, And says, “I was only joking!”

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

Where there is no wood, the fire goes out; And where there is no talebearer, strife ceases.

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

As charcoal is to burning coals, and wood to fire, So is a contentious man to kindle 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 talebearer are like tasty trifles, And they go down into the inmost body.

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

Fervent lips with a wicked heart Are like earthenware covered with silver dross.

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

He who hates, disguises it with his lips, And lays up deceit within himself;

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

When he speaks kindly, do not believe him, 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 is covered by deceit, His wickedness will be revealed 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.

Whoever digs a pit will fall into it, And he who rolls a stone will have it roll back on him.

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

A lying tongue hates those who are crushed by it, And a flattering mouth works ruin.