1 As snow in summer, and as rain in harvest,
So honor is not seemly for a fool.
2 As the sparrow in her wandering, as the swallow in her flying,
So the curse that is causeless alighteth not.
3 A whip for the horse, a bridle for the ass,
And a rod for the back of fools.
4 Answer not a fool according to his folly,
Lest thou also be like unto him.
5 Answer a fool according to his folly,
Lest he be wise in his own conceit.
6 He that sendeth a message by the hand of a fool
Cutteth off his own feet, and drinketh in damage.
7 The legs of the lame hang loose:
So is a parable in the mouth of fools.
8 As one that bindeth a stone in a sling,
So is he that giveth honor to a fool.
9 As a thorn that goeth up into the hand of a drunkard,
So is a parable in the mouth of fools.
10 As an archer that woundeth all,
So is he that hireth the fool and he that hireth them that pass by.
11 As a dog that returneth to his vomit,
So is a fool that repeateth his folly.
12 Seest thou a man wise in his own conceit?
There is more hope of a fool than of him.
13 The sluggard saith, There is a lion in the way;
A lion is in the streets.
14 As the door turneth upon its hinges,
So doth the sluggard upon his bed.
15 The sluggard burieth his hand in the dish;
It wearieth him to bring it again to his mouth.
16 The sluggard is wiser in his own conceit
Than seven men that can render a reason.
17 He that passeth by, and vexeth himself with strife belonging not to him,
Is like one that taketh a dog by the ears.
18 As a madman who casteth firebrands,
Arrows, and death,
19 So is the man that deceiveth his neighbor,
And saith, Am not I in sport?
20 For lack of wood the fire goeth out;
And where there is no whisperer, contention ceaseth.
21 As coals are to hot embers, and wood to fire,
So is a contentious man to inflame strife.
22 The words of a whisperer are as dainty morsels,
And they go down into the innermost parts.
23 Fervent lips and a wicked heart
Are like an earthen vessel overlaid with silver dross.
24 He that hateth dissembleth with his lips;
But he layeth up deceit within him:
25 When he speaketh fair, believe him not;
For there are seven abominations in his heart:
26 Though his hatred cover itself with guile,
His wickedness shall be openly showed before the assembly.
27 Whoso diggeth a pit shall fall therein;
And he that rolleth a stone, it shall return upon him.
28 A lying tongue hateth those it hath wounded;
And a flattering mouth worketh ruin.