1 ¶ As snow in summer and as rain in harvest, so honour is not suited for a fool.

2 ¶ As the sparrow in its wandering, as the swallow in its flight, so the curse causeless shall never come.

3 ¶ A whip for the horse, a bridle for the ass, and a rod for the fool’s back.

4 ¶ Never answer a fool according to his folly lest thou also be like unto him.

5 A nswer the fool showing him his folly lest he be wise in his own conceit.

6 ¶ He that gives responsibility to one who is not able to carry it out is like him that sends a message by the hand of a fool, and he shall drink the damage.

7 L ike unto the way that the one who is lame walks, so is a proverb in the mouth of the fool.

8 A s he that binds the stone in the sling, so is he that gives honour to a fool.

9 A s thorns sunk into the hand of one who is drunk, so is a proverb in the mouth of fools.

10 ¶ The great God that formed all things rewards both the fool and transgressors.

11 ¶ As a dog returns to his vomit, so the fool returns to his folly.

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

13 ¶ The slothful man saith, There is a lion in the way; a lion is in the streets.

14 ¶ As the door turns upon his hinges, so does the slothful upon his bed.

15 ¶ The slothful hides his hand in his bosom; it grieves him to bring it again to his mouth.

16 ¶ The sluggard is wiser in his own conceit than seven men that can give him counsel.

17 ¶ He that passes by and meddles with strife not belonging to him is like one that takes a dog by the ears.

18 ¶ As a mad man who casts firebrands, arrows, and death,

19 s o is the man that destroys his friend and says, Am I not in sport?

20 ¶ Where there is no wood, the fire goes out, so where there is no talebearer, the strife ceases.

21 C harcoal for burning coals and wood for fire, and a contentious man to kindle strife.

22 T he words of a talebearer seem smooth, but they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.

23 ¶ Burning lips and a wicked heart are like a potsherd covered with silver dross.

24 ¶ He that hates dissembles with his lips and lays up deceit within him;

25 w hen he speaks fair, do not believe him, for there are seven abominations in his heart.

26 E ven though his hatred is covered up in the desert, his wickedness shall be showed before the whole congregation.

27 ¶ Whosoever digs a pit shall fall therein, and he that rolls a stone, it will return upon him.

28 ¶ A lying tongue hates those that are afflicted by it, and a flattering mouth works ruin.