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 honor 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 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 fool’s back.

A whip for the horse, a bridle for the ass, And a rod for the back of fools.

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 his own feet, and drinketh in 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 hang loose: 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 one that bindeth a stone in a sling, So is he that giveth honor 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 that 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.

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

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

As a dog that returneth to his vomit, So is a fool that repeateth 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 sluggard 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 its hinges, So doth the sluggard upon his bed.

15 ¶ The slothful hides his hand in his bosom; it grieves 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 ¶ 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 vexeth himself 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 madman 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 neighbor, 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.

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

21 C harcoal for burning coals and wood for fire, and a contentious man to kindle 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 seem smooth, but 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 ¶ Burning lips and a wicked heart are like a potsherd covered with silver dross.

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

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

He that hateth dissembleth with his lips; But he 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.

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

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 shall 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 whom it hath wounded; And a flattering mouth worketh ruin.