1: As snow in summer, and as rain in harvest, so honour is not seemly for a fool. 2: As the bird by wandering, as the swallow by flying, so the curse causeless shall not come. 3: A whip for the horse, a bridle for the ass, and a rod for the fool's back. 4: Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest thou also be like unto him. 5: Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own conceit. 6: He that sendeth a message by the hand of a fool cutteth off the feet, and drinketh damage. 7: The legs of the lame are not equal: so is a parable in the mouth of fools. 8: As he that bindeth a stone in a sling, so is he that giveth honour to a fool. 9: As a thorn goeth up into the hand of a drunkard, so is a parable in the mouth of fools. 10: The great God that formed all things both rewardeth the fool, and rewardeth transgressors. 11: As a dog returneth to his vomit, so a fool returneth to his folly. 12: Seest thou a man wise in his own conceit? there is more hope of a fool than of him. 13: The slothful man saith, There is a lion in the way; a lion is in the streets. 14: As the door turneth upon his hinges, so doth the slothful upon his bed. 15: The slothful hideth his hand in his bosom; it grieveth him to bring it again to his mouth. 16: The sluggard is wiser in his own conceit than seven men that can render a reason. 17: He that passeth by, and meddleth with strife belonging not to him, is like one that taketh a dog by the ears. 18: As a mad man who casteth firebrands, arrows, and death, 19: So is the man that deceiveth his neighbour, and saith, Am not I in sport? 20: Where no wood is, there the fire goeth out: so where there is no talebearer, the strife ceaseth. 21: As coals are to burning coals, and wood to fire; so is a contentious man to kindle strife. 22: The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly. 23: Burning lips and a wicked heart are like a potsherd covered with silver dross. 24: He that hateth dissembleth with his lips, and layeth up deceit within him; 25: When he speaketh fair, believe him not: for there are seven abominations in his heart. 26: Whose hatred is covered by deceit, his wickedness shall be shewed before the whole congregation. 27: Whoso diggeth a pit shall fall therein: and he that rolleth a stone, it will return upon him. 28: A lying tongue hateth those that are afflicted by it; and a flattering mouth worketh ruin.
