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[1]As dew in harvest, and as rain in summer, so honour is not seemly for a fool.
[2]As birds and sparrows fly, so a curse shall not come upon any one without a cause.
[3]As a whip for a horse, and a goad for an ass, so is a rod for a simple nation.
[4]Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest thou become like him.
[5]Yet answer a fool according to his folly, lest he seem wise in his own conceit.
[6]He that sends a message by a foolish messenger procures for himself a reproach from his own ways.
[7]As well take away the motion of the legs, as transgression from the mouth of fools.
[8]He that binds up a stone in a sling, is like one that gives glory to a fool.
[9]Thorns grow in the hand of a drunkard, and servitude in the hand of fools.
[10]All the flesh of fools endures much hardship; for their fury is brought to nought.
[11]As when a dog goes to his own vomit, and becomes abominable, so is fool who returns in his wickedness to his own sin. [There is a shame that brings sin: and there is a shame that is glory and grace.]
[12]I have seen a man who seemed to himself to be wise; but a fool had more hope than he.
[13]A sluggard when sent on a journey says, There is a lion in the ways, and there are murderers in the streets.
[14]As a door turns on the hinge, so does a sluggard on his bed.
[15]A sluggard having hid his hand in his bosom, will not be able to bring it up to his mouth.
[16]A sluggard seems to himself wiser than one who most satisfactorily brings back a message.
[17]As he that lays hold of a dog's tail, so is he that makes himself the champion of another's cause.
[18]As those who need correction put forth fair words to men, and he that first falls in with the proposal will be overthrown;
[19]so are all that lay wait for their own friends, and when they are discovered, say, I did it in jest.
[20]With much wood fire increases; but where there is not a double-minded man, strife ceases.
[21]A hearth for coals, and wood for fire; and railing man for the tumult of strife.
[22]The words of cunning knaves are soft; but they smite even to the inmost parts of the bowels.
[23]Silver dishonestly given is to be considered as a potsherd: smooth lips cover a grievous heart.
[24]A weeping enemy promises all things with his lips, but in his heart he contrives deceit.
[25]Though thine enemy intreat thee with a loud voice, consent not: for there are seven abominations in his heart.
[26]He that hides enmity frames deceit: but being easily discerned, exposes his own sins in the public assemblies.
[27]He that digs a pit for his neighbour shall fall into it: and he that rolls a stone, rolls it upon himself.
[28]A lying tongue hates the truth; and an unguarded mouth causes tumults.
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