[1] Like snow in summer, and as rain in harvest, So honor is not fitting
for a fool. [2] Like a fluttering sparrow, Like a darting swallow, So
the undeserved curse doesn`t come to rest. [3] A whip for the horse, a
bridle for the donkey, And a rod for the back of fools! [4] Don`t 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] One
who sends a message by the hand of a fool Is cutting off feet and
drinking violence. [7] Like the legs of the lame that hang loose: So is
a parable in the mouth of fools. [8] As one who binds a stone in a sling,
So is he who gives honor to a fool. [9] Like a thornbush that goes into
the hand of a drunkard, So is a parable in the mouth of fools. [10] As
an archer who wounds all, So is he who hires a fool Or he who hires
those who pass by. [11] As a dog that returns to his vomit, So is a fool
who 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 sluggard says, "There is a
lion in the road! A fierce lion roams the streets!" [14] As the door
turns on its hinges, So does the sluggard on his bed. [15] The sluggard
buries his hand in the dish. He is too lazy to bring it back to his
mouth. [16] The sluggard is wiser in his own eyes Than seven men who
answer with discretion. [17] Like one who seizes a dog`s ears Is one who
passes by and meddles in a quarrel not his own. [18] Like a madman who
shoots firebrands, arrows, and death, [19] Is the man who deceives his
neighbor and says, "Am I not joking?" [20] For lack of wood the fire
goes out; Where there is no gossip, a quarrel dies down. [21] As coals
are to hot embers, And wood to fire, So is a contentious man to
kindle strife. [22] The words of a whisperer are as dainty morsels, They
go down into the innermost parts. [23] Like silver dross on an earthen
vessel Are the lips of a fervent one with an evil heart. [24] A
malicious man disguises himself with his lips, But he harbors evil in
his heart. [25] When his speech is charming, don`t believe him; For
there are seven abominations in his heart: [26] His malice may be concealed
by deception, But his wickedness will be exposed in the assembly. [27]
Whoever digs a pit shall fall into it. Whoever rolls a stone, it will
come back on him. [28] A lying tongue hates those it hurts; And a
flattering mouth works ruin.
