1 L ike snow in summer and like rain at gathering time, so honor is not right for a fool.

Like snow in summer and like rain in harvest, So honor is not fitting 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.

Like 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, leather ropes are for the donkey, and a stick is for the back of fools.

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 by his foolish ways, or you will be like him.

Do not answer a fool according to his folly, Or you will also be like 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 as his folly deserves, That he not be wise in his own eyes.

6 H e who sends a letter by the hand of a fool cuts off his own feet and brings trouble upon himself.

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

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

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

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

Like one who binds a stone in a sling, So is he who gives honor 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.

Like a thorn which falls into the hand of a drunkard, So is a proverb in the mouth 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.

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

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

Like a dog that returns to its vomit Is a fool who repeats 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.

Do 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 way! There is a lion in the streets!”

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

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

As the door turns on its hinges, So does the sluggard on 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 sluggard buries his hand in the dish; He is weary of bringing it to his mouth again.

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 eyes Than seven men who can give a discreet answer.

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.

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

Like a madman who throws 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 who deceives his neighbor, And says, “ Was I not joking?”

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

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

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

Like charcoal to hot embers 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 whisperer are like dainty morsels, And they go down into the innermost parts of the body.

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

Like an earthen vessel overlaid with silver dross Are burning lips and a wicked heart.

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

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

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

When he speaks graciously, do not believe him, 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.

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

27 H e who digs a deep hole will fall into it, and he who rolls a stone will have it return upon him.

He 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 mouth that speaks false words destroys.

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