1As the snow in the Summer, and as the rain in the Harvest are not meet, so is honor unseemly for a fool.
2As the sparrow by flying, and the swallow by flying escape, so the curse that is causeless, shall not come.
3Unto the horse belongeth a whip, to the ass a bridle, and a rod to the fool’s back.
4Answer not a fool according to his foolishness, lest thou also be like him.
5Answer a fool according to his foolishness, lest he be wise in his own conceit.
6He that sendeth a message by the hand of a fool, is as he that cutteth off the feet, and drinketh iniquity.
7As they that lift up the legs of the lame, so is a parable in a fool’s mouth.
8As the closing up of a precious stone in an heap of stones, so is he that giveth glory to a fool.
9As a thorn standing up in the hand of a drunkard, so is a parable in the mouth of fools.
10The Excellent that formed all things, both rewardeth the fool, and rewardeth the transgressors.
11As a dog turneth again to his own vomit, so a fool turneth to his foolishness.
12Seest thou a man wise in his own conceit? more hope is of a fool than of him.
13The slothful man saith, A lion is in the way: a lion is in the streets.
14As the door turneth upon his hinges, so doth the slothful man upon his bed.
15The slothful hideth his hand in his bosom, and it grieveth him to put it again to his mouth.
16The sluggard is wiser in his own conceit, than seven men that can render a reason.
17He that passeth by and medleth with the strife that belongeth not unto him, is as one that taketh a dog by the ears.
18As he that feigneth himself mad, casteth firebrands, arrows, and mortal things,
19So dealeth the deceitful man with his friend, and saith, Am not I in sport?
20Without wood the fire is quenched, and without a talebearer strife ceaseth.
21As the coal maketh burning coals, and wood a fire, so the contentious man is apt to kindle strife.
22The words of a talebearer are as flatterings, and they go down into the bowels of the belly.
23As silver dross overlaid upon a potsherd, so are burning lips, and an evil heart.
24He that hateth, will counterfeit with his lips, but in his heart he layeth up deceit.
25Though he speak favorably, believe him not: for there are seven abominations in his heart.
26Hatred may be covered by deceit: but the malice thereof shall be discovered in the congregation.
27He that diggeth a pit shall fall therein, and he that rolleth a stone, it shall return unto him.
28A false tongue hateth the afflicted, and a flattering mouth causeth ruin.