1 A s snow in summer, and as rain in harvest, so honour beseemeth not a fool.

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

2 A s the sparrow for flitting about, as the swallow for flying, so a curse undeserved shall not come.

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

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

6 H e that sendeth a message by the hand of a fool cutteth off feet, drinketh damage.

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

7 T he legs of the lame hang loose; so is a proverb in the mouth of fools.

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

8 A s a bag of gems in a stoneheap, so is he that giveth honour to a fool.

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

9 a thorn goeth up into the hand of a drunkard, so is a proverb in the mouth of fools.

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

10 A master roughly worketh every one: he both hireth the fool and hireth 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 turneth back to its vomit, a fool repeateth his folly.

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

12 H ast thou seen a man wise in his own eyes? There is more hope of a fool than of him.

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

13 T he sluggard saith, There is a fierce lion in the way; a lion is in the midst of the streets!

The sluggard saith, There is a lion in the way; A lion is in the streets.

14 t he door turneth upon its hinges, so the sluggard upon his bed.

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

15 T he sluggard burieth his hand in the dish: it wearieth 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 A sluggard is wiser in his own eyes than seven that answer discreetly.

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

17 H e that passing by vexeth himself with strife belonging not to him, is one that taketh 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 A s a madman who casteth firebrands, arrows, and death,

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

19 s o is a man that deceiveth his neighbour, and saith, Am I not in sport?

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

20 W here no wood is, the fire goeth out; and where there is no talebearer, the contention ceaseth.

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

21 c oals for hot coals, and wood for fire, so is a contentious 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 talebearer are as dainty morsels, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.

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

23 A rdent lips, and a wicked heart, are an earthen vessel overlaid with silver dross.

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

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

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

25 w hen his voice is gracious, believe him not, for there are seven abominations in his heart.

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

26 T hough hatred is covered by dissimulation, his wickedness shall be made manifest in the congregation.

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

27 W hoso diggeth a pit shall fall therein; and he that rolleth a stone, it shall 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 hateth those that are injured by it, and a flattering mouth worketh ruin.

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