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

Like snow in summer and like rain in harvest, so honor is not fitting for a fool.

2 A s the bird by wandering, as the swallow by flying, so the curse causeless shall not come.

Like the sparrow in her wandering, like the swallow in her flying, so the causeless curse does 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 backs of fools.

4 A nswer not a fool according to his folly, lest thou also be like unto him.

Answer not 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 conceit.

Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own eyes and conceit.

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

He who sends a message by the hand of a fool cuts off the feet and drinks the damage.

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

Like the legs of a lame man which hang loose, so is a parable in the mouth of a fool.

8 A s he that bindeth a stone in a sling, so is he that giveth honour to a fool.

Like he who binds a stone in a sling, so is he who gives honor to a fool.

9 A s a thorn goeth up into the hand of a drunkard, so is a parable in the mouths of fools.

Like a thorn that goes into the hand of a drunken man, so is a proverb in the mouth of a fool.

10 T he great God that formed all things both rewardeth the fool, and rewardeth transgressors.

like an archer who wounds all, so is he who hires a fool or chance passers-by.

11 A s a dog returneth to his vomit, so a fool returneth to his folly.

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

12 S eest 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 and conceit? There is more hope for a fool than for him.

13 T he slothful man saith, There is a lion in the way; a lion is in the streets.

The sluggard says, There is a lion in the way! A lion is in the streets!

14 A s the door turneth upon his hinges, so doth the slothful upon his bed.

As the door turns on its hinges, so does the lazy man upon his bed.

15 T he slothful hideth his hand in his bosom; it grieveth him to bring it again to his mouth.

The slothful and self-indulgent buries his hand in his bosom; it distresses and wearies him to bring it again to his mouth.

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

The sluggard is wiser in his own eyes and conceit than seven men who can render a reason and answer discreetly.

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

He who, passing by, stops to meddle with strife that is none of his business is like one who takes a dog by the ears.

18 A s a mad man who casteth firebrands, arrows, and death,

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

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

So is the man who deceives his neighbor and then says, Was I not joking?

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

For lack of wood the fire goes out, and where there is no whisperer, contention ceases.

21 A s coals are to burning coals, and wood to fire; so is a contentious man to kindle strife.

As coals are to hot embers and as wood to fire, so is a quarrelsome man to inflame strife.

22 T he words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.

The words of a whisperer or slanderer are like dainty morsels or words of sport; and they go down into the innermost parts of the body.

23 B urning lips and a wicked heart are like a potsherd covered with silver dross.

Burning lips and a wicked heart are like an earthen vessel covered with the scum thrown off from molten silver.

24 H e that hateth dissembleth with his lips, and layeth up deceit within him;

He who hates pretends with his lips, but stores up deceit within himself.

25 W hen he speaketh fair, believe him not: for there are seven abominations in his heart.

When he speaks kindly, do not trust him, for seven abominations are in his heart.

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

Though his hatred covers itself with guile, his wickedness shall be shown openly before the assembly.

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

Whoever digs a pit shall fall into it himself, and he who rolls a stone, it will return upon him.

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

A lying tongue hates those it wounds and crushes, and a flattering mouth works ruin.