1 As snow in summer, and as rain in harvest, so honour is not seemly for a fool.

1 ¶ As snow in summer, and as rain in harvest,
So honour is not seemly for a fool.

2 As the bird by wandering, as the swallow by flying, so the curse causeless shall not come.

2 ¶ As the sparrow in her wandering, as the swallow in her flying,
So the curse that is causeless lighteth not.

3 A whip for the horse, a bridle for the ass, and a rod for the fool's back.

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 thou also be like unto him.

4 ¶ Answer not a fool according to his folly,
Lest thou also be like unto him.

5 Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own conceit.

5 ¶ Answer a fool according to his folly,
Lest he be wise in his own conceit.

6 He that sendeth a message by the hand of a fool cutteth off the feet, and drinketh damage.

6 ¶ He that sendeth a message by the hand of a fool
Cutteth off his own feet, and drinketh in damage.

7 The legs of the lame are not equal: so is a parable in the mouth of fools.

7 ¶ The legs of the lame hang loose:
So is a parable in the mouth of fools.

8 As he that bindeth a stone in a sling, so is he that giveth honour to a fool.

8 ¶ As a bag of gems in a heap of stones,
So is he that giveth honour to a fool.

9 As a thorn goeth up into the hand of a drunkard, so is a parable in the mouth of fools.

9 ¶ As a thorn that goeth up into the hand of a drunkard,
So is a parable in the mouth of fools.

10 The great God that formed all things both rewardeth the fool, and rewardeth transgressors.

10 ¶ As an archer that woundeth all,
So is he that hireth the fool and he that hireth them that pass by.

11 As a dog returneth to his vomit, so a fool returneth to his folly.

11 ¶ As a dog that returneth to his vomit,
So is a fool that repeateth his folly.

12 Seest thou a man wise in his own conceit? there is more hope of a fool than of him.

12 ¶ Seest thou a man wise in his own conceit?
There is more hope of a fool than of him.

13 The slothful man saith, There is a lion in the way; a lion is in the streets.

13 ¶ The sluggard saith, There is a lion in the way;
A lion is in the streets.

14 As the door turneth upon his hinges, so doth the slothful upon his bed.

14 ¶ As the door turneth upon its hinges,
So doth the sluggard upon his bed.

15 The slothful hideth his hand in his bosom; it grieveth him to bring it again to his mouth.

15 ¶ The sluggard burieth his hand in the dish;
It wearieth him to bring it again to his mouth.

16 The sluggard is wiser in his own conceit than seven men that can render a reason.

16 ¶ The sluggard is wiser in his own conceit
Than seven men that can render a reason.

17 He that passeth by, and meddleth with strife belonging not to him, is like one that taketh a dog by the ears.

17 ¶ He that passeth by, and vexeth himself with strife belonging not to him,
Is like one that taketh a dog by the ears.

18 As a mad man who casteth firebrands, arrows, and death,

18 ¶ As a madman who casteth firebrands,
Arrows, and death;

19 So is the man that deceiveth his neighbour, and saith, Am not I in sport?

19 ¶ So is the man that deceiveth his neighbour,
And saith, Am not I in sport?

20 Where no wood is, there the fire goeth out: so where there is no talebearer, the strife ceaseth.

20 ¶ For lack of wood the fire goeth out:
And where there is no whisperer, contention ceaseth.

21 As coals are to burning coals, and wood to fire; so is a contentious man to kindle strife.

21 ¶ As coals are to hot embers, and wood to fire;
So is a contentious man to inflame strife.

22 The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.

22 ¶ The words of a whisperer are as dainty morsels,
And they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.

23 Burning lips and a wicked heart are like a potsherd covered with silver dross.

23 ¶ Fervent lips and a wicked heart
Are like an earthen vessel overlaid with silver dross.

24 He that hateth dissembleth with his lips, and layeth up deceit within him;

24 ¶ He that hateth dissembleth with his lips,
But he layeth up deceit within him:

25 When he speaketh fair, believe him not: for there are seven abominations in his heart.

25 ¶ When he speaketh fair, believe him not;
For there are seven abominations in his heart:

26 Whose hatred is covered by deceit, his wickedness shall be shewed before the whole congregation.

26 ¶ Though his hatred cover itself with guile,
His wickedness shall be openly shewed before the congregation.

27 Whoso diggeth a pit shall fall therein: and he that rolleth a stone, it will return upon him.

27 ¶ Whoso diggeth a pit shall fall therein:
And he that rolleth a stone, it shall return upon him.

28 A lying tongue hateth those that are afflicted by it; and a flattering mouth worketh ruin.

28 ¶ A lying tongue hateth those whom it hath wounded;
And a flattering mouth worketh ruin.