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.

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

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. {conceit: Heb. eyes}

6. He that sendeth a message by the hand of a fool cutteth off the feet, {and} drinketh damage. {damage: or, violence}

7. The legs of the lame are not equal: so {is} a parable in the mouth of fools. {are...: Heb. are lifted up}

8. As he that bindeth a stone in a sling, so {is} he that giveth honour to a fool. {bindeth...: or, putteth a precious stone in an heap of stones}

9. {As} a thorn 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. {The great...: or, A great man grieveth all, and he hireth the fool, he hireth also transgressors}

11. As a dog returneth to his vomit, {so} a fool returneth to his folly. {returneth to his folly: Heb. iterateth his folly}

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.

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

15. The slothful hideth his hand in {his} bosom; it grieveth him to bring it again to his mouth. {it grieveth...: or, he is weary}

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. {meddleth: or, is enraged}

18. As a mad {man} who casteth firebrands, arrows, and death, {firebrands: Heb. flames, or, sparks}

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. {Where no...: Heb. Without wood} {talebearer: or, whisperer} {ceaseth: Heb. is silent}

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

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

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

24. He that hateth dissembleth with his lips, and layeth up deceit within him; {dissembleth: or, is known}

25. When he speaketh fair, believe him not: for {there are} seven abominations in his heart. {speaketh...: Heb. maketh his voice gracious}

26. {Whose} hatred is covered by deceit, his wickedness shall be shewed before the {whole} congregation. {by...: or, in secret}

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

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