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 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 flitting sparrow, like a flying swallow, So a curse without cause shall 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 for the horse, A bridle for the donkey, 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.

Do not answer a fool according to his folly, Lest you 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 according to his folly, Lest he 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 who sends a message by the hand of a fool Cuts off his own feet and drinks violence.

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

Like the legs of the lame that hang limp 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 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 that goes into the hand of a drunkard 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.

The great God who formed everything Gives the fool his hire and the transgressor his wages.

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

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

As a door turns on its hinges, So does the lazy man 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 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 give a wise answer.

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

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 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 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.”

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

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

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

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

As charcoal is 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 like tasty trifles, And they go down into the inmost body.

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

Fervent lips with a wicked heart Are like earthenware covered with silver dross.

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, And lays up deceit within himself;

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 kindly, 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 is covered by deceit, 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.

Whoever 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 it crushes, and a mouth that speaks false words destroys.

A lying tongue hates those who are crushed by it, And a flattering mouth works ruin.