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

Like snow in summer and like rain in harvest, so honor is not fitting for a fool.

2 L ike a fluttering sparrow, like a darting swallow, so the undeserved curse doesn’t come to rest.

Like the sparrow in her wandering, like the swallow in her flying, so the causeless curse does not alight.

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 donkey, and a rod for the backs of fools.

4 D on’t answer a fool according to his folly, lest you also be like him.

Answer not 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.

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

6 O ne who sends a message by the hand of a fool is cutting off feet and drinking violence.

He who sends a message by the hand of a fool cuts off the feet and drinks the damage.

7 L ike the legs of the lame that hang loose: so is a parable in the mouth of fools.

Like the legs of a lame man which hang loose, so is a parable in the mouth of a fool.

8 A s one who binds a stone in a sling, so is he who gives honor to a fool.

Like he who binds a stone in a sling, so is he who gives honor to a fool.

9 L ike a thorn bush that goes into the hand of a drunkard, so is a parable in the mouth of fools.

Like a thorn that goes into the hand of a drunken man, so is a proverb in the mouth of a fool.

10 A s an archer who wounds all, so is he who hires a fool or he who hires those who pass by.

like an archer who wounds all, so is he who hires a fool or chance passers-by.

11 A s a dog that returns to his vomit, so is a fool who repeats his folly.

As a dog returns to his vomit, so a fool returns 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.

Do you see a man wise in his own eyes and conceit? There is more hope for a fool than for him.

13 T he sluggard says, “There is a lion in the road! A fierce lion roams the streets!”

The sluggard says, 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 turns on its hinges, so does the lazy man upon his bed.

15 T he sluggard buries his hand in the dish. He is too lazy to bring it back to his mouth.

The slothful and self-indulgent buries his hand in his bosom; it distresses and wearies him to bring it again to his mouth.

16 T he sluggard is wiser in his own eyes than seven men who answer with discretion.

The sluggard is wiser in his own eyes and conceit than seven men who can render a reason and answer discreetly.

17 L ike one who grabs a dog’s ears is one who passes by and meddles in a quarrel not his own.

He who, passing by, stops to meddle with strife that is none of his business is like one who takes a dog by the ears.

18 L ike a madman who shoots torches, arrows, and death,

Like a madman who casts firebrands, arrows, and death,

19 i s the man who deceives his neighbor and says, “Am I not joking?”

So is the man who deceives his neighbor and then says, Was I not joking?

20 F or lack of wood a fire goes out. Without gossip, a quarrel dies down.

For lack of wood the fire goes out, and where there is no whisperer, contention ceases.

21 A s coals are to hot embers, and wood to fire, so is a contentious man to kindling strife.

As coals are to hot embers and as wood to fire, so is a quarrelsome man to inflame strife.

22 T he words of a whisperer are as dainty morsels, they go down into the innermost parts.

The words of a whisperer or slanderer are like dainty morsels or words of sport; and they go down into the innermost parts of the body.

23 L ike silver dross on an earthen vessel are the lips of a fervent one with an evil heart.

Burning lips and a wicked heart are like an earthen vessel covered with the scum thrown off from molten silver.

24 A malicious man disguises himself with his lips, but he harbors evil in his heart.

He who hates pretends with his lips, but stores up deceit within himself.

25 W hen his speech is charming, don’t believe him; for there are seven abominations in his heart.

When he speaks kindly, do not trust him, for seven abominations are in his heart.

26 H is malice may be concealed by deception, but his wickedness will be exposed in the assembly.

Though his hatred covers itself with guile, his wickedness shall be shown openly before the assembly.

27 W hoever digs a pit shall fall into it. Whoever rolls a stone, it will come back on him.

Whoever digs a pit shall fall into it himself, and he who rolls a stone, it will return upon him.

28 A lying tongue hates those it hurts; and a flattering mouth works ruin.

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