1As snow in summer, and as rain in harvest, So honour <FI>is<Fi> not comely for a fool.
2As a bird by wandering, as a swallow by flying, So reviling without cause doth not come.
3A whip is for a horse, a bridle for an ass, And a rod for the back of fools.
4Answer not a fool according to his folly, Lest thou be like to him--even thou.
5Answer a fool according to his folly, Lest he be wise in his own eyes.
6He is cutting off feet, he is drinking injury, Who is sending things by the hand of a fool.
7Weak have been the two legs of the lame, And a parable in the mouth of fools.
8As one who is binding a stone in a sling, So <FI>is<Fi> he who is giving honour to a fool.
9A thorn hath gone up into the hand of a drunkard, And a parable in the mouth of fools.
10Great <FI>is<Fi> the Former of all, And He is rewarding a fool, And is rewarding transgressors.
11As a dog hath returned to its vomit, A fool is repeating his folly.
12Thou hast seen a man wise in his own eyes, More hope of a fool than of him!
13The slothful hath said, `A lion <FI>is<Fi> in the way, A lion <FI>is<Fi> in the broad places.'
14The door turneth round on its hinge, And the slothful on his bed.
15The slothful hath hid his hand in a dish, He is weary of bringing it back to his mouth.
16Wiser <FI>is<Fi> the slothful in his own eyes, Than seven <FI>men<Fi> returning a reason.
17Laying hold on the ears of a dog, <FI>Is<Fi> a passer-by making himself wrath for strife not his own.
18As <FI>one<Fi> pretending to be feeble, Who is casting sparks, arrows, and death,
19So hath a man deceived his neighbour, And hath said, `Am not I playing?'
20Without wood is fire going out, And without a tale-bearer, contention ceaseth,
21Coal to burning coals, and wood to fire, And a man of contentions to kindle strife.
22The words of a tale-bearer <FI>are<Fi> as self-inflicted wounds, And they have gone down <FI>to<Fi> the inner parts of the heart.
23Silver of dross spread over potsherd, <FI>Are<Fi> burning lips and an evil heart.
24By his lips doth a hater dissemble, And in his heart he placeth deceit,
25When his voice is gracious trust not in him, For seven abominations <FI>are<Fi> in his heart.
26Hatred is covered by deceit, Revealed is its wickedness in an assembly.
27Whoso is digging a pit falleth into it, And the roller of a stone, to him it turneth.
28A lying tongue hateth its bruised ones, And a flattering mouth worketh an overthrow!