Like snow in summer and like arain in harvest,
So glory is not bfitting for a fool.
2 Like a asparrow in its flitting, like a swallow in flying,
So a bcurse without cause does not come to pass.
3 A awhip is for the horse, a bridle for the donkey,
And a brod for the back of fools.
4 aDo not answer a fool according to his folly,
Lest you yourself also be like him.
5 aAnswer a fool according to his folly,
Lest he be bwise in his own eyes.
6 He cuts off his own feet and drinks violence
Who sends words by the hand of a fool.
7 Like the legs which hang limp on the lame,
So is a proverb in the mouth of fools.
8 Like one who binds a stone in a sling,
So is he who gives glory to a fool.
9 Like a thorn which goes up into the hand of a drunkard,
So is a proverb in the mouth of fools.
10 Like an archer who wounds everyone,
So is he who hires a fool or who hires those who pass by.
11 Like aa dog that returns to its vomit
Is a fool who brepeats his folly.
12 Do you see a man awise in his own eyes?
bThere is more hope for a fool than for him.
13 The asluggard says, “There is a fierce lion in the road!
A lion is among the streets!”
14 As the door turns on its hinges,
So does the asluggard on his bed.
15 The asluggard buries his hand in the dish;
He is too weary to return it to his mouth.
16 The sluggard is awiser in his own eyes
Than seven men who can respond with a discreet answer.
17 Like one who seizes a dog by the ears
Is he who passes by and becomes passionate about astrife not belonging to him.
18 Like a madman who shoots
aFirebrands, arrows, and death,
19 So is the man who adeceives his neighbor,
And says, “bAm I not joking?”
20 With no wood the fire goes out,
And where there is no awhisperer, bstrife quiets down.
21 Like charcoal to hot embers and wood to fire,
So is a acontentious man to kindle strife.
22 The awords of a whisperer are like dainty morsels,
And they go down into the innermost parts of the stomach.
23 Like an earthen avessel overlaid with silver bdross
Are fiery lips and an evil heart.
24 He who ahates disguises it with his lips,
But he sets up bdeceit within himself.
25 When he amakes his voice gracious, do not believe him,
For there are seven abominations in his heart.
26 Though his hatred acovers itself with guile,
His evil will be brevealed in the assembly.
27 He who adigs a pit will fall into it,
And he who rolls a stone, it will turn back on him.
28 A lying tongue hates those it crushes,
And a aflattering mouth works ruin.