1As snow in summer, and as rain in harvest, so honor is not seemly for a fool. 2As the sparrow in her wandering, as the swallow in her flying, so the curse that is causeless does not alight. 3A whip for the horse, a bridle for the donkey, and a rod for the back of fools. 4Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest thou also be like to him. 5Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own conceit. 6He who sends a message by the hand of a fool cuts off the feet, [and] drinks injury. 7The legs of a lame man hang loose. So is a parable in the mouth of fools. 8As he who binds a stone in a sling, so is he who gives honor to a fool. 9[As] a thorn that goes up into the hand of a drunkard, so is a parable in the mouth of fools. 10[As] an archer who wounds all, so is he who hires a fool, and he who hires those who pass by. 11As a dog who returns to his vomit, [is] a fool who repeats his folly. 12See thou a man wise in his own conceit? There is more hope for a fool than of him. 13The sluggard says, There is a lion in the way; a lion is in the streets. 14The door turns upon its hinges, so does the sluggard upon his bed. 15The sluggard buries his hand in the dish. It wearies him to bring it again to his mouth. 16The sluggard is wiser in his own conceit than seven men who can render a reason. 17He who passes by, [and] meddles with strife not his, [is like] he who takes a dog by the ears. 18As a madman who casts firebrands, arrows, and death, 19so is the man who deceives his neighbor, and says, Am I not in sport? 20For lack of wood the fire goes out, and where there is no whisperer, contention ceases. 21[As] coals are to hot embers, and wood to fire, so is a contentious man to inflame strife. 22The words of a whisperer are as dainty morsels, and they go down into the innermost parts. 23Fervent lips and a wicked heart are an earthen vessel overlaid with silver dross. 24He who hates masquerades with his lips, but he lays up deceit within him. 25When he speaks graciously, believe him not, for there are seven abominations in his heart. 26Though [his] hatred cover itself with guile, his wickedness shall be openly shown before the assembly. 27He who digs a pit shall fall in it, and he who rolls a stone, it shall return upon him. 28A lying tongue hates those whom it has wounded, and a flattering mouth works ruin.