1 As snow in summer, and as rain in harvest, So honour [is] not comely for a fool. 2 As a bird by wandering, as a swallow by flying, So reviling without cause doth not come. 3 A whip is for a horse, a bridle for an ass, And a rod for the back of fools. 4 Answer not a fool according to his folly, Lest thou be like to him -- even thou. 5 Answer a fool according to his folly, Lest he be wise in his own eyes. 6 He is cutting off feet, he is drinking injury, Who is sending things by the hand of a fool. 7 Weak have been the two legs of the lame, And a parable in the mouth of fools. 8 As one who is binding a stone in a sling, So [is] he who is giving honour to a fool. 9 A thorn hath gone up into the hand of a drunkard, And a parable in the mouth of fools. 10 Great [is] the Former of all, And He is rewarding a fool, And is rewarding transgressors. 11 As a dog hath returned to its vomit, A fool is repeating his folly. 12 Thou hast seen a man wise in his own eyes, More hope of a fool than of him! 13 The slothful hath said, 'A lion [is] in the way, A lion [is] in the broad places.' 14 The door turneth round on its hinge, And the slothful on his bed. 15 The slothful hath hid his hand in a dish, He is weary of bringing it back to his mouth. 16 Wiser [is] the slothful in his own eyes, Than seven [men] returning a reason. 17 Laying hold on the ears of a dog, [Is] a passer-by making himself wrath for strife not his own. 18 As [one] pretending to be feeble, Who is casting sparks, arrows, and death, 19 So hath a man deceived his neighbour, And hath said, 'Am not I playing?' 20 Without wood is fire going out, And without a tale-bearer, contention ceaseth, 21 Coal to burning coals, and wood to fire, And a man of contentions to kindle strife. 22 The words of a tale-bearer [are] as self-inflicted wounds, And they have gone down [to] the inner parts of the heart. 23 Silver of dross spread over potsherd, [Are] burning lips and an evil heart. 24 By his lips doth a hater dissemble, And in his heart he placeth deceit, 25 When his voice is gracious trust not in him, For seven abominations [are] in his heart. 26 Hatred is covered by deceit, Revealed is its wickedness in an assembly. 27 Whoso is digging a pit falleth into it, And the roller of a stone, to him it turneth. 28 A lying tongue hateth its bruised ones, And a flattering mouth worketh an overthrow! | |