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

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

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

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 eyes.

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 feet, drinketh 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 proverb 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 a bag of gems in a stoneheap, so is he that giveth honour to a fool.

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

9 a thorn goeth up into the hand of a drunkard, so is a proverb 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 master roughly worketh every one: he both hireth the fool and hireth passers-by.

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

11 A s a dog turneth back to its vomit, a fool repeateth his folly.

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

12 H ast thou seen a man wise in his own eyes? 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 fierce lion in the way; a lion is in the midst of the streets!

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

14 t he door turneth upon its hinges, so 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 A sluggard is wiser in his own eyes than seven that answer discreetly.

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

17 H e that passing by vexeth himself with strife belonging not to him, is 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 a man that deceiveth his neighbour, and saith, Am I not in sport?

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

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

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

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

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

23 A rdent lips, and a wicked heart, are 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 his voice is gracious, 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 hatred is covered by dissimulation, his wickedness shall be made manifest in the congregation.

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 that are injured by it, and a flattering mouth worketh ruin.

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