1 As snow in summerand rain in harvest,
So honor is not fitting for a fool.
2 Like a flitting sparrow, like a flying swallow,
# Soa curse without cause shall not alight.
3 A whip for the horse,
A bridle for the donkey,
And a rod for the fool’s back.
4 Do not answer a fool according to his folly,
Lest you also be like him.
5 Answer a fool according to his folly,
Lest he be wise in his own eyes.
6 He who sends a message by the hand of a fool
Cuts offhisownfeetanddrinks violence.
7 Likethe legs of the lame that hang limp
Isa proverb in the mouth of fools.
8 Like one who binds a stone in a sling
Ishe who gives honor to a fool.
9 Likea thornthatgoes into the hand of a drunkard
Isa proverb in the mouth of fools.
10 The greatGodwho formed everything
Gives the foolhishire and the transgressorhiswages.
11 As a dog returns to his own vomit,
# Soa fool repeats his folly.
12 Do you see a man wise in his own eyes?
Thereismore hope for a fool than for him.
13 The lazymansays, “Thereisa lion in the road!
A fierce lionisin the streets!”
14 Asa door turns on its hinges,
Sodoesthe lazymanon his bed.
15 Thelazymanburies his hand in the bowl;
It wearies him to bring it back to his mouth.
16 The lazymaniswiser in his own eyes
Than seven men who can answer sensibly.
17 He who passes byandmeddles in a quarrel not his own
Islikeone who takes a dog by the ears.
18 Like a madman who throws firebrands, arrows, and death,
19 Isthe manwhodeceives his neighbor,
# And says,“I was only joking!”
20 Wherethereisno wood, the fire goes out;
And wherethereisno talebearer, strife ceases.
21 Ascharcoalisto burning coals, and wood to fire,
Soisa contentious man to kindle strife.
22 The words of a talebearerarelike tasty trifles,
And they go down into the inmost body.
23 Fervent lips with a wicked heart
Arelikeearthenware covered with silver dross.
24 He who hates, disguisesitwith his lips,
And lays up deceit within himself;
25 When he speaks kindly, do not believe him,
Forthereareseven abominations in his heart;
26 Thoughhishatred is covered by deceit,
His wickedness will be revealed before the assembly.
27 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 hatesthosewhoarecrushed by it,
# And a flattering mouth worksruin.