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 come. 3A whip for the horse, a bridle for the donkey, And a rod for the back of fools. 4Do not answer a fool according to his folly, Or else you will also be like him. 5Answer a fool according to his folly, Or else he will be wise in his own eyes. 6He who sends a message by the hand of a fool Cuts off [his own] feet, [and] drinks crime. 7[As] the legs hang loose from a cripple: So is a parable in the mouth of fools. 8As one 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 that wounds all, So is he who hires a fool and he who hires those who pass by. 11As a dog that returns to his vomit, [So is] a fool that repeats his folly. 12Do you see a man wise in his own conceit? There is more hope of a fool than of him. 13The sluggard says, There is a lion in the way; A lion is in the streets. 14[As] the door turns on its hinges, So does the sluggard on 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] vexes himself with strife not belonging to him, Is [like] one who takes a dog by the ears. 18As a lunatic who casts firebrands, Arrows, and death, 19So is the man who deceives his fellow man, And says, Am I not joking? 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 [like] an earthen vessel overlaid with silver dross. 24He who hates dissembles with his lips; But he lays up deceit inside him: 25When he speaks fair, don't believe him; For there are seven disgusting things in his heart: 26Though [his] hatred covers itself with guile, His wickedness will be openly shown before the assembly. 27Whoever digs a pit will fall in it; And he who rolls a stone, it will return on him. 28A lying tongue hates those whom it has wounded; And a flattering mouth works ruin.