1 As snow in summer, and as rain in harvest, so honour is not seemly for a fool.
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 back of fools.
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.
6 He that sendeth a message by the hand of a fool cutteth offhis ownfeet,anddrinketh in damage.
7 The legs of the lame hang loose: so is a parable in the mouth of fools.
8 As a bag of gems in a heap of stones, so is he that giveth honour to a fool.
9 Asa thorn that goeth up into the hand of a drunkard, so is a parable in the month of fools.
10 Asan archer that woundeth all, so is he that hireth the fool and he that hireth them that pass by.
11 As a dog that returneth to his vomit,so isa 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.
13 The sluggard saith, There is a lion in the way; a lion is in the streets.
14 Asthe door turneth upon its hinges, so doth the sluggard upon his bed.
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.
17 He that passeth by,andvexeth himself with strife belonging not to him, islikeone that taketh a dog by the ears.
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?
20 For lack of wood the fire goeth out: and where there is no whisperer, contention ceaseth.
21 Ascoals are to hot embers, and wood to fire; so is a contentious man to inflame strife.
22 The words of a whisperer are as dainty morsels, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.
23 Fervent lips and a wicked heart arelikean earthen vessel overlaid with silver dross.
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:
26 Thoughhishatred 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 shall return upon him.
28 A lying tongue hateth those whom it hath wounded; and a flattering mouth worketh ruin.