1 L ike snow in summer and like rain in harvest, So honor is not fitting for a fool.

2 L ike a sparrow in its flitting, like a swallow in its flying, So a curse without cause does not alight.

3 A whip is for the horse, a bridle for the donkey, And a rod for the back of fools.

4 D o not answer a fool according to his folly, Or you will also be like him.

5 A nswer a fool as his folly deserves, That he not be wise in his own eyes.

6 H e cuts off his own feet and drinks violence Who sends a message by the hand of a fool.

7 L ike the legs which are useless to the lame, So is a proverb in the mouth of fools.

8 L ike one who binds a stone in a sling, So is he who gives honor to a fool.

9 L ike a thorn which falls into the hand of a drunkard, So is a proverb in the mouth of fools.

10 L ike an archer who wounds everyone, So is he who hires a fool or who hires those who pass by.

11 L ike a dog that returns to its vomit Is a fool who repeats his folly.

12 D o you see a man wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him.

13 T he sluggard says, “There is a lion in the road! A lion is in the open square!”

14 A s the door turns on its hinges, So does the sluggard on his bed.

15 T he sluggard buries his hand in the dish; He is weary of bringing it to his mouth again.

16 T he sluggard is wiser in his own eyes Than seven men who can give a discreet answer.

17 L ike one who takes a dog by the ears Is he who passes by and meddles with strife not belonging to him.

18 L ike a madman who throws Firebrands, arrows and death,

19 S o is the man who deceives his neighbor, And says, “ Was I not joking?”

20 F or lack of wood the fire goes out, And where there is no whisperer, contention quiets down.

21 L ike charcoal to hot embers and wood to fire, So is a contentious man to kindle strife.

22 T he words of a whisperer are like dainty morsels, And they go down into the innermost parts of the body.

23 L ike an earthen vessel overlaid with silver dross Are burning lips and a wicked heart.

24 H e who hates disguises it with his lips, But he lays up deceit in his heart.

25 W hen he speaks graciously, do not believe him, For there are seven abominations in his heart.

26 T hough his hatred covers itself with guile, His wickedness will be revealed before the assembly.

27 H e who digs a pit will fall into it, And he who rolls a stone, it will come back on him.

28 A lying tongue hates those it crushes, And a flattering mouth works ruin.