• 1 As snow in summer and rain in harvest, So honor is not fitting for a fool.
  • 2 Like a flitting sparrow, like a flying swallow, So a 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 off his own feet and drinks violence.
  • 7 Like the legs of the lame that hang limp Is a proverb in the mouth of fools.
  • 8 Like one who binds a stone in a sling Is he who gives honor to a fool.
  • 9 Like a thorn that goes into the hand of a drunkard Is a proverb in the mouth of fools.
  • 10 The great God who formed everything Gives the fool his hire and the transgressor his wages.
  • 11 As a dog returns to his own vomit, So a fool repeats his folly.
  • 12 Do you see a man wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him.
  • 13 The lazy man says, “There is a lion in the road! A fierce lion is in the streets!”
  • 14 As a door turns on its hinges, So does the lazy man on his bed.
  • 15 The lazy man buries his hand in the bowl; It wearies him to bring it back to his mouth.
  • 16 The lazy man is wiser in his own eyes Than seven men who can answer sensibly.
  • 17 He who passes by and meddles in a quarrel not his own Is like one who takes a dog by the ears.
  • 18 Like a madman who throws firebrands, arrows, and death,
  • 19 Is the man who deceives his neighbor, And says, “I was only joking!”
  • 20 Where there is no wood, the fire goes out; And where there is no talebearer, strife ceases.
  • 21 As charcoal is to burning coals, and wood to fire, So is a contentious man to kindle strife.
  • 22 The words of a talebearer are like tasty trifles, And they go down into the inmost body.
  • 23 Fervent lips with a wicked heart Are like earthenware covered with silver dross.
  • 24 He who hates, disguises it with his lips, And lays up deceit within himself;
  • 25 When he speaks kindly, do not believe him, For there are seven abominations in his heart;
  • 26 Though his hatred 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 hates those who are crushed by it, And a flattering mouth works ruin.