1 Like snow in summer, and rain in harvest,
So esteem is not fitting for a fool.
2 As a bird wanders, as a swallow flies about,
So a curse without cause does not come.
3 A whip for a horse, a bridle for a donkey,
And a rod for the fool’s back.
4 Do not answer a fool according to his folly,
Lest you also become like him.
5 Answer a fool according to his folly,
Lest he become wise in his own eyes.
6 He who sends a message by the hand of a fool
Cuts off feet, drinks violence.
7 The legs of the lame hang limp,
So is a proverb in the mouth of fools.
8 Like one binding a stone in a sling,
So is he who gives esteem to a fool.
9 A thorn goes into the hand of a drunkard
So is a proverb in the mouth of fools.
10 An archer who wounds anyone,
Is he who hires a fool or any passerby.
11 As a dog returns to his own vomit,
So a fool repeats his folly.
12 Have you seen a man wise in his own eyes?
There is more expectancy for a fool than for him.
13 The lazy one says, “There is a lion in the way!
A fierce lion is in the streets!”
14 A door turns on its hinges,
So does the lazy one turn on his bed.
15 The lazy one buries his hand in a dish;
It tires him to bring it back to his mouth.
16 The lazy one is wiser in his own eyes
Than seven rendering advice.
17 One who takes a dog by the ears
Is a passer-by meddling in a strife not his own.
18 Like a madman who throws sparks, arrows, and death,
19 So is a man who deceived his neighbour,
And says, “I was only joking!”
20 For lack of wood, the fire goes out.
And without a slanderer, strife ceases.
21 Charcoal is for burning coals, and wood to fire,
So is a contentious man to kindle strife.
22 The words of a slanderer are as dainty morsels,
Which go down into the inner parts of the heart.
23 Earthenware covered with silver dross
Are burning lips with an evil heart.
24 He who hates, pretends with his lips,
And lays up deceit within him;
25 Though he speaks kindly, do not believe him,
For there are seven abominations in his heart.
26 Hatred is covered by deceit.
His evil is disclosed in the assembly.
27 Whoever digs a pit falls into it,
And whoever rolls a stone, it turns back on him.
28 A lying tongue hates its bruised ones,
And a flattering mouth works ruin.