^1. LIKE snow in summer and like rain in harvest, So honor is not fitting for a fool.

^2. Like a sparrow in its [2] flitting, like a swallow in its flying, So a curse without cause does not [1] alight.

^3. A whip is for the horse, a bridle for the donkey, And a rod for the back of fools.

^4. Do not answer a fool according to his folly, Or you will also be like him.

^5. Answer a fool as his folly deserves, That he not be wise in his own eyes.

^6. He cuts off his own feet and drinks violence Who sends a message by the hand of a fool.

^7. Like the legs which [3] are useless to the lame, So is a proverb in the mouth of fools.

^8. Like [4] one who binds a stone in a sling, So is he who gives honor to a fool.

^9. Like a thorn which [5] falls into the hand of a drunkard, So is a proverb in the mouth of fools.

^10. [6] Like an archer who wounds everyone, So is he who hires a fool or who hires those who pass by.

^11. Like a dog that returns to its vomit Is a fool who repeats [7] his folly.

^12. Do you see a man wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him.

^13. The sluggard says, �There is a lion in the road! A lion is [8] in the open square!�

^14. As the door turns on its hinges, So does the sluggard on his bed.

^15. The sluggard buries his hand in the dish; He is weary of bringing it to his mouth again.

^16. The sluggard is wiser in his own eyes Than seven men who can [9] give a discreet answer.

^17. Like one who takes a dog by the ears Is he who passes by and [10] meddles with strife not belonging to him.

^18. Like a madman who throws Firebrands, arrows and death,

^19. So is the man who deceives his neighbor, And says, � Was I not joking?�

^20. For lack of wood the fire goes out, And where there is no whisperer, contention quiets down.

^21. Like charcoal to hot embers and wood to fire, So is a contentious man to kindle strife.

^22. The words of a whisperer are like dainty morsels, And they go down into the [11] innermost parts of the body.

^23. Like an earthen vessel overlaid with silver dross Are burning lips and a wicked heart.

^24. He who hates disguises it with his lips, But he lays up deceit in his [12] heart.

^25. When [13] he speaks graciously, do not believe him, For there are seven abominations in his heart.

^26. Though his hatred covers itself with guile, His wickedness will be revealed before the assembly.

^27. He who digs a pit will fall into it, And he who rolls a stone, it will come back on him.

^28. A lying tongue hates [14] those it crushes, And a flattering mouth works ruin.