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

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

2 ¶ As the sparrow in its wandering, as the swallow in its flight, so the curse causeless shall never 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 fool’s back.

A whip for the horse, A bridle for the donkey, And a rod for the fool’s back.

4 ¶ Never answer 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 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 eyes.

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 who sends a message by the hand of a fool Cuts off his own feet and drinks violence.

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

Like the legs of the lame that hang limp Is a proverb 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.

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

Like a thorn that goes into the hand of a drunkard Is a proverb in the mouth of fools.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

As a door turns on its hinges, So does the lazy man on his bed.

15 ¶ The slothful hides his hand in his bosom; it grieves 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 ¶ The sluggard is wiser in his own conceit than seven men that can give him counsel.

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

17 ¶ He that passes by and meddles with strife not belonging to him is like one that takes 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 ¶ As a mad man who casts firebrands, arrows, and death,

Like a madman who throws firebrands, arrows, and death,

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

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

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

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

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

Fervent lips with a wicked heart Are like earthenware covered with silver dross.

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

He who hates, disguises it with his lips, And lays up deceit within himself;

25 w hen he speaks fair, do not believe him, 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 E ven though his hatred is covered up in the desert, his wickedness shall be showed before the whole congregation.

Though his hatred is covered by deceit, His wickedness will be revealed before the assembly.

27 ¶ Whosoever digs a pit shall fall therein, and he that rolls a stone, it will 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 hates those that are afflicted by it, and a flattering mouth works ruin.

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