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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Seest thou a man wise in his own conceit? there is more hope of a fool than of him.

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

The slothful man saith, There is a lion in the way; a lion is in the streets.

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

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

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

The slothful hideth his hand in his bosom; it grieveth him to bring it again to his mouth.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

21 L ike charcoal to hot embers and wood to fire, So is 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 whisperer are like dainty morsels, And they go down into the innermost parts of the body.

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

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

Burning lips and a wicked heart are like a potsherd covered with silver dross.

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

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

25 W hen he speaks graciously, 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 T hough his hatred covers itself with guile, His wickedness will be revealed before the assembly.

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

27 H e who digs a pit will fall into it, And he who rolls a stone, it will come back on 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 it crushes, And a flattering mouth works ruin.

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