¹ Like snow in summer and rain at harvest, honor does not befit a fool. Like snow in summer and rain at harvest,
honor does not befit a fool. ² Like a fluttering sparrow or darting swallow, an undeserved curse does not come to rest. Like a fluttering sparrow or darting swallow,
an undeserved curse does not come to rest. ³ A whip for the horse, a bridle for the donkey, and a rod for the backs of fools! A whip for the horse, a bridle for the donkey,
and a rod for the backs of fools! ⁴ Do not answer a fool according to his folly, or you yourself will be like him. Do not answer a fool according to his folly,
or you yourself will be like him. ⁵ Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he become wise in his own eyes. Answer a fool according to his folly,
lest he become wise in his own eyes. ⁶ Like cutting off one’s own feet or drinking violence is the sending of a message by the hand of a fool. Like cutting off one’s own feet or drinking violence
is the sending of a message by the hand of a fool. ⁷ Like lame legs hanging limp is a proverb in the mouth of a fool. Like lame legs hanging limp
is a proverb in the mouth of a fool. ⁸ Like binding a stone into a sling is the giving of honor to a fool. Like binding a stone into a sling
is the giving of honor to a fool. ⁹ Like a thorn that goes into the hand of a drunkard is a proverb in the mouth of a fool. Like a thorn that goes into the hand of a drunkard
is a proverb in the mouth of a fool. ¹⁰ Like an archer who wounds at random is he who hires a fool or passerby. Like an archer who wounds at random
is he who hires a fool or passerby. ¹¹ As a dog returns to its vomit, so a fool repeats his folly. As a dog returns to its vomit,¹
so a fool repeats his folly. ¹² Do you see a man who is wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him. Do you see a man who is wise in his own eyes?
There is more hope for a fool than for him. ¹³ The slacker says, “A lion is in the road! A fierce lion roams the public square!” The slacker says, “A lion is in the road!
A fierce lion roams the public square!” ¹⁴ As a door turns on its hinges, so the slacker turns on his bed. As a door turns on its hinges,
so the slacker turns on his bed. ¹⁵ The slacker buries his hand in the dish; it wearies him to bring it back to his mouth. The slacker buries his hand in the dish;
it wearies him to bring it back to his mouth. ¹⁶ The slacker is wiser in his own eyes than seven men who answer discreetly. The slacker is wiser in his own eyes
than seven men who answer discreetly. ¹⁷ Like one who grabs a dog by the ears is a passerby who meddles in a quarrel not his own. Like one who grabs a dog by the ears
is a passerby who meddles in a quarrel not his own. ¹⁸ Like a madman shooting firebrands and deadly arrows, Like a madman shooting firebrands
and deadly arrows, ¹⁹ so is the man who deceives his neighbor and says, “I was only joking!” so is the man who deceives his neighbor
and says, “I was only joking!” ²⁰ Without wood, a fire goes out; without gossip, a conflict ceases. Without wood, a fire goes out;
without gossip, a conflict ceases. ²¹ Like charcoal for embers and wood for fire, so is a quarrelsome man for kindling strife. Like charcoal for embers and wood for fire,
so is a quarrelsome man for kindling strife. ²² The words of a gossip are like choice morsels that go down into the inmost being. The words of a gossip are like choice morsels
that go down into the inmost being. ²³ Like glaze covering an earthen vessel are burning lips and a wicked heart. Like glaze covering an earthen vessel
are burning ¹ lips and a wicked heart. ²⁴ A hateful man disguises himself with his speech, but he lays up deceit in his heart. A hateful man disguises himself with his speech,
but he lays up deceit in his heart. ²⁵ When he speaks graciously, do not believe him, for seven abominations fill his heart. When he speaks graciously, do not believe him,
for seven abominations fill his heart. ²⁶ Though his hatred is concealed by deception, his wickedness will be exposed in the assembly. Though his hatred is concealed by deception,
his wickedness will be exposed in the assembly. ²⁷ He who digs a pit will fall into it, and he who rolls a stone will have it roll back on him. He who digs a pit will fall into it,
and he who rolls a stone will have it roll back on him. ²⁸ A lying tongue hates those it crushes, and a flattering mouth causes ruin. A lying tongue hates those it crushes,
and a flattering mouth causes ruin.