[1] Like snow in summer or rain in harvest, so honor is not fitting for a
fool. [2] Like a sparrow in its flitting, like a swallow in its flying, a
curse that is causeless does not alight. [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 you be like him yourself. [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 a lame man's legs, which hang useless, is a proverb in the mouth
of fools. [8] Like one who binds the stone in the sling is he who gives
honor to a fool. [9] Like a thorn that goes up into the hand of a drunkard
is a proverb in the mouth of fools. [10] Like an archer who wounds
everybody is he who hires a passing fool or drunkard. [11] Like a dog that
returns to his vomit is a fool that repeats his folly. [12] Do you see a
man who is wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for
him. [13] The sluggard says, "There is a lion in the road! There is a lion
in the streets!" [14] As a door turns on its hinges, so does a sluggard on
his bed. [15] The sluggard buries his hand in the dish; it wears him out to
bring it back to his mouth. [16] The sluggard is wiser in his own eyes than
seven men who can answer discreetly. [17] He who meddles in a quarrel not
his own is like one who takes a passing 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 am only joking!" [20] For lack of wood the fire goes
out; and where there is no whisperer, quarreling ceases. [21] As charcoal
to hot embers and wood to fire, so is a quarrelsome man for kindling
strife. [22] The words of a whisperer are like delicious morsels; they go
down into the inner parts of the body. [23] Like the glaze covering an
earthen vessel are smooth lips with an evil heart. [24] He who hates,
dissembles with his lips and harbors deceit in his heart; [25] when he
speaks graciously, believe him not, for there are seven abominations in his
heart; [26] though his hatred be covered with guile, his wickedness will be
exposed in the assembly. [27] He who digs a pit will fall into it, and a
stone will come back upon him who starts it rolling. [28] A lying tongue
hates its victims, and a flattering mouth works ruin.
