1As snow in summer, and as rain in harvest, so honour is not seemly for a fool. 2As the bird by wandering, as the swallow by flying, so the curse causeless shall not come. 3A whip for the horse, a bridle for the ass, and a rod for the fool’s back.
4Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest thou also be like unto him. 5Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own conceit.26.5 conceit: Heb. eyes
6He that sendeth a message by the hand of a fool cutteth off the feet, and drinketh damage.26.6 damage: or, violence 7The legs of the lame are not equal: so is a parable in the mouth of fools.26.7 are…: Heb. are lifted up 8As he that bindeth a stone in a sling, so is he that giveth honour to a fool.26.8 bindeth…: or, putteth a precious stone in an heap of stones 9As a thorn goeth up into the hand of a drunkard, so is a parable in the mouth of fools. 10The great God that formed all things both rewardeth the fool, and rewardeth transgressors.26.10 The great…: or, A great man grieveth all, and he hireth the fool, he hireth also transgressors 11As a dog returneth to his vomit, so a fool returneth to his folly.26.11 returneth to his folly: Heb. iterateth his folly 12Seest thou a man wise in his own conceit? there is more hope of a fool than of him. 13The slothful man saith, There is a lion in the way; a lion is in the streets. 14As the door turneth upon his hinges, so doth the slothful upon his bed. 15The slothful hideth his hand in his bosom; it grieveth him to bring it again to his mouth.26.15 it grieveth…: or, he is weary 16The sluggard is wiser in his own conceit than seven men that can render a reason. 17He that passeth by, and meddleth with strife belonging not to him, is like one that taketh a dog by the ears.26.17 meddleth: or, is enraged
18As a mad man who casteth firebrands, arrows, and death,26.18 firebrands: Heb. flames, or, sparks 19So is the man that deceiveth his neighbour, and saith, Am not I in sport?
20Where no wood is, there the fire goeth out: so where there is no talebearer, the strife ceaseth.26.20 Where no…: Heb. Without wood26.20 talebearer: or, whisperer26.20 ceaseth: Heb. is silent 21As coals are to burning coals, and wood to fire; so is a contentious man to kindle strife. 22The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.26.22 innermost…: Heb. chambers 23Burning lips and a wicked heart are like a potsherd covered with silver dross.
24He that hateth dissembleth with his lips, and layeth up deceit within him;26.24 dissembleth: or, is known 25When he speaketh fair, believe him not: for there are seven abominations in his heart.26.25 speaketh…: Heb. maketh his voice gracious 26Whose hatred is covered by deceit, his wickedness shall be shewed before the whole congregation.26.26 by…: or, in secret 27Whoso diggeth a pit shall fall therein: and he that rolleth a stone, it will return upon him. 28A lying tongue hateth those that are afflicted by it; and a flattering mouth worketh ruin.
1Like snow in summer or rain in harvest,
honour is not fitting for a fool.
2Like a fluttering sparrow or a darting swallow,
an undeserved curse does not come to rest.
3A whip for the horse, a bridle for the donkey,
and a rod for the backs of fools!
4Do not answer a fool according to his folly,
or you yourself will be just like him.
5Answer a fool according to his folly,
or he will be wise in his own eyes.
6Sending a message by the hands of a fool
is like cutting off one’s feet or drinking poison.
7Like the useless legs of one who is lame
is a proverb in the mouth of a fool.
8Like tying a stone in a sling
is the giving of honour to a fool.
9Like a thorn-bush in a drunkard’s hand
is a proverb in the mouth of a fool.
10Like an archer who wounds at random
is one who hires a fool or any passer-by.
11As a dog returns to its vomit,
so fools repeat their folly.
12Do you see a person wise in their own eyes?
There is more hope for a fool than for them.
13A sluggard says, ‘There’s a lion in the road,
a fierce lion roaming the streets!’
14As a door turns on its hinges,
so a sluggard turns on his bed.
15A sluggard buries his hand in the dish;
he is too lazy to bring it back to his mouth.
16A sluggard is wiser in his own eyes
than seven people who answer discreetly.
17Like one who grabs a stray dog by the ears
is someone who rushes into a quarrel not their own.
18Like a maniac shooting
flaming arrows of death
19is one who deceives their neighbour
and says, ‘I was only joking!’
20Without wood a fire goes out;
without gossip a quarrel dies down.
21As charcoal to embers and as wood to fire,
so is a quarrelsome person for kindling strife.
22The words of a gossip are like choice morsels;
they go down to the inmost parts.
23Like a coating of silver dross on earthenware
are fervent26:23 Hebrew; Septuagint smooth lips with an evil heart.
24Enemies disguise themselves with their lips,
but in their hearts they harbour deceit.
25Though their speech is charming, do not believe them,
for seven abominations fill their hearts.
26Their malice may be concealed by deception,
but their wickedness will be exposed in the assembly.
27Whoever digs a pit will fall into it;
if someone rolls a stone, it will roll back on them.
28A lying tongue hates those it hurts,
and a flattering mouth works ruin.
