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

2 L ike 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 donkey, And a rod for the fool’s back.

4 D o not answer 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 eyes.

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

7 L ike the legs of the lame that hang limp Is a proverb in the mouth of fools.

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

9 L ike a thorn that goes into the hand of a drunkard Is a proverb in the mouth of fools.

10 T he great God who formed everything Gives the fool his hire and the transgressor his wages.

11 A s a dog returns to his own vomit, So a fool 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 lazy man says, “ There is a lion in the road! A fierce lion is in the streets!”

14 A s a door turns on its hinges, So does the lazy man on his bed.

15 T he lazy man buries his hand in the bowl; It wearies him to bring it back to his mouth.

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

17 H e who passes by and meddles in a quarrel not his own Is like one who takes a dog by the ears.

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

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

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

21 A s charcoal is to burning coals, and wood to fire, So is a contentious man to kindle strife.

22 T he words of a talebearer are like tasty trifles, And they go down into the inmost body.

23 F ervent lips with a wicked heart Are like earthenware covered with silver dross.

24 H e who hates, disguises it with his lips, And lays up deceit within himself;

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

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

27 W hoever 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 who are crushed by it, And a flattering mouth works ruin.