1 L ike snow in summer and like rain at gathering time, so honor is not right 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 traveling, like a swallow in its flying, so bad words said against someone without reason do not come to rest.

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

3 A whip is for the horse, leather ropes are for the donkey, and a stick is 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 by his foolish ways, or you will be like him.

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

5 A nswer a fool in the way he has earned by his foolish acts, so he will 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 who sends a letter by the hand of a fool cuts off his own feet and brings trouble upon himself.

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

7 A wise saying in the mouth of fools is like the legs on a man who cannot walk.

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

8 H e who gives honor to a fool is like one who ties a stone in a sling.

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

9 A wise saying in the mouth of fools is like a thorn that goes into the hand of a man who drinks too much.

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

10 H e who hires a fool or hires those who pass by is like a man who uses a bow to hurt everyone.

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

11 A fool who does his foolish act again is like a dog that turns back to what he has thrown up.

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

12 D o you see a man who is 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 lazy man says, “There is a lion in the way! There is a lion in the streets!”

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

14 A s a door turns, so does the lazy man on his bed.

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

15 T he lazy man buries his hand in the dish. It makes him tired to bring 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 lazy man is wiser in his own eyes than seven men who can give a wise answer.

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

17 H e who passes by and has a part in someone else’s fight is like one who takes a dog by the ears.

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 crazy man who throws pieces of burning wood and arrows of death,

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

19 s o is the man who fools his neighbor with a lie, and says, “I was only joking.”

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

20 W hen there is no wood, the fire goes out. Where there is no one telling secret stories about people, arguing stops.

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

21 A n arguing man makes fights worse. He is like coals to burning wood and wood to a fire.

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

22 T he words of one who tells secret things about people are like good-tasting bites of food. They go down into the inside parts of the body.

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

23 B urning lips and a sinful heart are like a pot covered with silver waste.

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

24 H e who hates covers it up with his lips, but stores up false ways in his heart.

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

25 W hen he speaks with kindness, do not believe him, for there are seven things that are hated in his heart.

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

26 E ven if his hate is covered with false ways, his sin will be found out in front of the great meeting.

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

27 H e who digs a deep hole will fall into it, and he who rolls a stone will have it return upon 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 mouth that speaks false words destroys.

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