1Like snow in summer and like rain in harvest, So honor is not fitting for a fool.
2Like a sparrow in [its] flitting, like a swallow in [its] flying, So a curse without cause does not alight.
3A whip is 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 you will also be like him.
5Answer a fool as his folly [deserves], That he not be wise in his own eyes.
6He cuts off [his own] feet [and] drinks violence Who sends a message by the hand of a fool.
7[Like] the legs [which] are useless to the lame, So is a proverb in the mouth of fools.
8Like one who binds a stone in a sling, So is he who gives honor to a fool.
9[Like] a thorn [which] falls into the hand of a drunkard, So is a proverb in the mouth of fools.
10[Like] an archer who wounds everyone, So is he who hires a fool or who hires those who pass by.
11Like a dog that returns to its vomit Is a fool who repeats his folly.
12Do you see a man wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him.
13The sluggard says, 'There is a lion in the road! A lion is in the open square!'
14[As] the door turns on its hinges, So [does] the sluggard on his bed.
15The sluggard buries his hand in the dish; He is weary of bringing it to his mouth again.
16The sluggard is wiser in his own eyes Than seven men who can give a discreet answer.
17[Like] one who takes a dog by the ears Is he who passes by [and] meddles with strife not belonging to him.
18Like a madman who throws Firebrands, arrows and death,
19So is the man who deceives his neighbor, And says, 'Was I not joking?'
20For lack of wood the fire goes out, And where there is no whisperer, contention quiets down.
21[Like] charcoal to hot embers and wood to fire, So is a contentious man to kindle strife.
22The words of a whisperer are like dainty morsels, And they go down into the innermost parts of the body.
23[Like] an earthen vessel overlaid with silver dross Are burning lips and a wicked heart.
24He who hates disguises [it] with his lips, But he lays up deceit in his heart.
25When he speaks graciously, do not believe him, For there are seven abominations in his heart.
26[Though his] hatred covers itself with guile, His wickedness will be revealed before the assembly.
27He who digs a pit will fall into it, And he who rolls a stone, it will come back on him.
28A lying tongue hates those it crushes, And a flattering mouth works ruin.