1As snow in summer, and as rain in harvest, so honor [is] not becoming for a fool. 2As the bird by wandering, as the swallow by flying, so the curse without cause shall not come. 3A whip for the horse, a bridle for the ass, and a rod for the fool's back. 4Do not answer a fool according to his foolishness, lest you also be like him. 5Answer a fool according to his foolishness, so that he may not be wise in his own eyes. 6He who sends a message by the hand of a fool cuts off the feet [and] drinks down damage. 7The legs of the lame [are] not equal; 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 goes up into the hand of a drunkard, so [is] a parable in the mouth of fools. 10Great [is] the Former of all, but he who hires a fool [is like] one who hires one passing by. 11As a dog returns to its vomit, [so] a fool returns to his folly. 12Do you see a man wise in his own eyes? [There is] more hope for a fool than for him. 13The lazy one says, [There is] a lion in the way; a lion [is] in the streets. 14[As] the door turns upon its hinges, [so does] the lazy man turn upon his bed. 15The lazy man hides his hand in [his] bosom; it grieves him to bring it again to his mouth. 16The sluggard [is] wiser in his own eyes than seven men who can give a reason. 17He who passes by enraging himself over strife not his own [is like] one who takes a dog by the ears, 18[or] like a madman who throws firebrands, arrows, and death. 19so [is] the man who deceives his neighbor and says, Am I not joking. 20Where there is no wood, the fire goes out; and where [there is] no talebearer, the fighting ceases. 21[As] coals to burning coals, and wood to fire, so [is] a quarrelsome man to kindle fighting. 22The words of a talebearer [are] as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly. 23Burning lips and a wicked heart [are like] a broken piece of pottery with silver waste. 24He who hates pretends with his lips and stores up deceit within him. 25When he makes his voice gracious, do not believe him; for seven hateful things [are] in his heart. 26[He whose] hatred is covered by deceit, his wickedness shall be shown before the congregation. 27Whoever digs a pit shall fall into it; and he who rolls a stone, it will turn back to him. 28A lying tongue hates [those] afflicted by it, and a flattering mouth works ruin.