1愚人得尊荣本不合宜，
如夏天降雪、收割时下雨。
2麻雀翻飞，燕子翱翔，
咒诅不会无端降临。
3鞭子打马，缰绳勒驴，
棍棒责打愚人的背。
4别照愚人的愚昧回答他，
免得你像他一样。
5要照愚人的愚昧回答他，
免得他自以为有智慧。
6靠愚人传信，
如同砍断自己的脚，
自讨苦吃。
7愚人口中说箴言，
如同跛子空有腿。
8把尊荣给愚人，
就像把石子绑在甩石器上。
9愚人口中说箴言，
如同醉汉握荆棘。
10雇用愚人或路人，
如同弓箭手乱箭伤人。
11愚人一再重复愚昧事，
就像狗回头吃所吐的。
12自以为有智慧的人，
还不如愚人有希望。
13懒惰人说：“路上有狮子，
街上有猛狮。”
14懒惰人赖在床上滚来滚去，
就像门在门轴上转来转去。
15懒惰人手放在餐盘，
却懒得送食物进嘴。
16懒惰人自以为比七个善于应对的人更有智慧。
17插手他人的纠纷，
犹如揪狗的耳朵。
18-19欺骗邻舍还说是开玩笑，
如同疯子乱抛火把、乱射箭。
20没有木柴，火自然熄灭；
没有闲话，争端便平息。
21好斗之人煽动争端，
如同余火加炭、火上加柴。
22闲言闲语如可口的美食，
轻易进入人的五脏六腑。
23火热的嘴，邪恶的心，
犹如瓦器镀了层银。
24怨恨人的用美言掩饰自己，
心中却藏着诡诈。
25纵然他甜言蜜语，你也不可信他，
因为他心中充满各种可憎之事。
26虽然他用诡计掩饰怨恨，
他的邪恶必被会众揭穿。
27挖陷阱的，必自陷其中；
滚石头的，必自伤己身。
28撒谎的舌恨它所害的人，
谄媚的嘴带来毁灭。
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.
