1 As snow in summer, and as rain in harvest, so honor is not befitting a fool.
2 Like a flitting bird, like a flying swallow, so the curse without cause shall not alight.
3 A whip for the horse, a bridle for the ass, and a rod for the fools 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, that he not 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 As the legs of the lame hang limp; so is a proverb in the mouth of fools.
8 As he who binds a stone in a sling, so is he who gives honor to a fool.
9 As a thorn goes up into the hand of a drunkard, so is a proverb in the mouth of fools.
10 The Great One who brings forth all things, gives the fool his hire, and the perishing his wages.
11 As a dog returns to its vomit, so a fool returns to 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 way! A lion is in the streets!
14 As the door turns on its hinges, so does the sluggard upon his bed.
15 The sluggard hides his hand in the dish; it wearies him to bring it back to his mouth.
16 The sluggard is wiser in his own eyes than seven men who can answer with taste.
17 He who passes by, and crosses over into a quarrel that is not his own, is like one who takes a dog by the ears.
18 Like a madman who throws firebrands, arrows, and death;
19 so is the man who deceives his neighbor and says, Was I not joking?
20 Where there is no wood, the fire goes out; and where there is no talebearer, strife ceases.
21 As coals to burning coals, and wood to fire, so is a contentious man to kindle strife.
22 The words of a talebearer are gulped down, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.
23 Burning lips and a wicked heart are like a broken piece of pottery overlaid with silver dross.
24 He who hates, disguises it with his lips, and lays up deceit within himself.
25 When he speaks graciously, do not believe him; for there are seven abominations in his heart.
26 He whose hatred is covered by deceit, his wickedness shall be disclosed before the assembly.
27 Whoever digs a pit may fall into it; and he who rolls a stone, it may return upon him.
28 A lying tongue hates those crushed by it, and a flattering mouth brings about ruin.