1 As snow in summer, and as rain in harvest, so honor [is] not becoming for a fool.
2 As the bird by wandering, as the swallow by flying, so the curse without cause shall not come.
3 A whip for the horse, a bridle for the ass, and a rod for the fool's back.
4 Do not answer a fool according to his foolishness, lest you also be like him.
5 Answer a fool according to his foolishness, so that he may not be wise in his own eyes.
6 He who sends a message by the hand of a fool cuts off the feet [and] drinks down damage.
7 The legs of the lame [are] not equal; so [is] a parable in the mouth of fools.
8 As he who binds a stone in a sling, so [is] he who gives honor to a fool.
9 [As] a thorn goes up into the hand of a drunkard, so [is] a parable in the mouth of fools.
10 Great [is] the Former of all, but he who hires a fool [is like] one who hires one passing by.
11 As a dog returns to its vomit, [so] a fool returns to his folly.
12 Do you see a man wise in his own eyes? [There is] more hope for a fool than for him.
13 The lazy one says, [There is] a lion in the way; a lion [is] in the streets.
14 [As] the door turns upon its hinges, [so does] the lazy man turn upon his bed.
15 The lazy man hides his hand in [his] bosom; it grieves him to bring it again to his mouth.
16 The sluggard [is] wiser in his own eyes than seven men who can give a reason.
17 He who passes by enraging himself over strife not his own [is like] one who takes a dog by the ears,
18 [or] like a madman who throws firebrands, arrows, and death.
19 so [is] the man who deceives his neighbor and says, Am I not joking.
20 Where there is no wood, the fire goes out; and where [there is] no talebearer, the fighting ceases.
21 [As] coals to burning coals, and wood to fire, so [is] a quarrelsome man to kindle fighting.
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 broken piece of pottery with silver waste.
24 He who hates pretends with his lips and stores up deceit within him.
25 When he makes his voice gracious, do not believe him; for seven hateful things [are] in his heart.
26 [He whose] hatred is covered by deceit, his wickedness shall be shown before the congregation.
27 Whoever digs a pit shall fall into it; and he who rolls a stone, it will turn back to him.
28 A lying tongue hates [those] afflicted by it, and a flattering mouth works ruin.