As snow in summer, and as rain in harvest, so honour is not seemly for a fool. 2As the bird by wandering, as the swallow by flying, so the curse causeless shall not come. 3A whip for the horse, a bridle for the ass, and a rod for the fool’s back. 4Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest thou also be like unto him. 5Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own conceit. 6He that sendeth a message by the hand of a fool cutteth off the feet,
and drinketh damage. 7The legs of the lame are not equal: so
is a parable in the mouth of fools. 8As he that bindeth a stone in a sling, so
is he that giveth honour to a fool. 9As a thorn goeth up into the hand of a drunkard, so
is
a parable in the mouth of fools. 10The great
God that formed all
things both rewardeth the fool, and rewardeth transgressors. 11As a dog returneth to his vomit,
so a fool returneth to his folly. 12Seest thou a man wise in his own conceit?
there is more hope of a fool than of him. 13The slothful
man saith,
There is a lion in the way; a lion
is in the streets. 14As the door turneth upon his hinges, so
doth the slothful upon his bed. 15The slothful hideth his hand in
his bosom; it grieveth him to bring 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 meddleth with strife
belonging
not to him,
is like one that taketh a dog by the ears. 18As a mad
man who casteth firebrands, arrows, and death, 19So
is the man
that deceiveth his neighbour, and saith, Am not I in sport? 20Where no wood is,
there the fire goeth out: so where
there is no talebearer, the strife ceaseth. 21As coals
are to burning coals, and wood to fire; so
is a contentious man to kindle strife. 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 potsherd covered with silver dross. 24He that hateth dissembleth with his lips, and layeth up deceit within him; 25When he speaketh fair, believe him not: for
there are seven abominations in his heart. 26Whose hatred is covered by deceit, his wickedness shall be shewed before the
whole congregation. 27Whoso diggeth a pit shall fall therein: and he that rolleth a stone, it will return upon him. 28A lying tongue hateth
those that are afflicted by it; and a flattering mouth worketh ruin.