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

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

2 A s the sparrow in her wandering, as the swallow in her flying, So the curse that is causeless alighteth not.

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 ass, And a rod for the back 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 thou also be like unto 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 conceit.

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

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

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

7 T he legs of the lame hang loose: So is a parable in the mouth of fools.

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

8 A s one that bindeth a stone in a sling, So is he that giveth honor to a fool.

Like one who binds a stone in a sling Is he who gives honor to a fool.

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

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

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

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

11 A s a dog that returneth to his vomit, So is a fool that repeateth his folly.

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

12 S eest thou a man wise in his own conceit? There is more hope of a fool than of 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 saith, 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 turneth upon its hinges, So doth the sluggard upon his bed.

As a door turns on its hinges, So does the lazy man on his bed.

15 T he sluggard burieth his hand in the dish; It wearieth 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 conceit Than seven men that can render a reason.

The lazy man is wiser in his own eyes Than seven men who can answer sensibly.

17 H e that passeth by, and vexeth himself with strife belonging not to him, Is like one that taketh 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 A s a madman who casteth firebrands, Arrows, and death,

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

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

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

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

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 wood to fire, So is a contentious 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 are as dainty morsels, And they go down into the innermost parts.

The words of a talebearer are like tasty trifles, And they go down into the inmost body.

23 F ervent lips and a wicked heart Are like an earthen vessel overlaid with silver dross.

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

24 H e that hateth dissembleth with his lips; But he layeth up deceit within him:

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

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

When he speaks kindly, do not believe him, For there are seven abominations in his heart;

26 T hough his hatred cover itself with guile, His wickedness shall be openly showed before the assembly.

Though his hatred is covered by deceit, His wickedness will be revealed before the assembly.

27 W hoso diggeth a pit shall fall therein; And he that rolleth a stone, it shall 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 hateth those whom it hath wounded; And a flattering mouth worketh ruin.

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