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

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

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

As the bird by wandering, as the swallow by flying, so the curse causeless shall not come.

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

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.

Answer not 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.

Answer a fool according to 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.

He that sendeth a message by the hand of a fool cutteth off the feet, and drinketh damage.

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

The legs of the lame are not equal: so is a parable in the mouth of fools.

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

As he that bindeth a stone in a sling, so is he that giveth 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.

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

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

The great God that formed all things both rewardeth the fool, and rewardeth transgressors.

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

As a dog returneth to his vomit, so a fool returneth to his folly.

12 ¶ Seest thou a man wise in his own conceit? 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 ¶ The slothful man saith, There is a lion in the way; a lion is in the streets.

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.

As the door turneth upon his hinges, so doth the slothful upon his bed.

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

The slothful hideth his hand in his bosom; it grieveth 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.

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

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

He that passeth by, and meddleth with strife belonging not to him, is like one that taketh a dog by the ears.

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

As a mad man who casteth firebrands, arrows, and death,

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

so is the man that deceiveth his neighbour, and saith, Am not I in sport?

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

Where no wood is, there the fire goeth out: so where there is no talebearer, the strife ceaseth.

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

As coals are to burning coals, and wood to fire; so is 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.

The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and 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.

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;

He that hateth dissembleth with his lips, and layeth up deceit within him;

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

when he speaketh fair, believe him not: 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.

Whose hatred is covered by deceit, his wickedness shall be shewed before the whole congregation.

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

Whoso diggeth a pit shall fall therein: and he that rolleth a stone, it will return upon him.

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

A lying tongue hateth those that are afflicted by it; and a flattering mouth worketh ruin.