1As snow in summer, and as rain in harvest,
So honor is not seemly for a fool.
2As the sparrow in her wandering, as the swallow in her flying,
So the curse that is causeless alighteth not.
3A whip for the horse, a bridle for the ass,
And a rod for the back of fools.
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.
6He that sendeth a message by the hand of a fool
Cutteth off his own feet, and drinketh in damage.
7The legs of the lame hang loose;
So is a parable in the mouth of fools.
8As 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 a fool and he that hireth them that pass by.
11As a dog that returneth to his vomit,
So is a fool that repeateth his folly.
12Seest thou a man wise in his own conceit?
There is more hope of a fool than of him.
13The 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.
15The sluggard burieth his hand in the dish;
It wearieth him to bring it again to his mouth.
16The sluggard is wiser in his own conceit
Than seven men that can render a reason.
17He that passeth by, and vexeth himself with strife belonging not to him,
Is like one that taketh a dog by the ears.
18As a madman who casteth firebrands,
Arrows, and death,
19So is the man that deceiveth his neighbor,
And saith, Am not I in sport?
20For 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.
22The words of a whisperer are as dainty morsels,
And they go down into the innermost parts.
23Fervent lips and a wicked heart
Are like an earthen vessel overlaid with silver dross.
24He that hateth dissembleth with his lips;
But he layeth up deceit within him:
25When he speaketh fair, believe him not;
For there are seven abominations in his heart:
26Though his hatred cover itself with guile,
His wickedness shall be openly showed before the assembly.
27Whoso diggeth a pit shall fall therein;
And he that rolleth a stone, it shall return upon him.
28A lying tongue hateth those whom it hath wounded;
And a flattering mouth worketh ruin.
Public Domain
