Verse 1 Like snow in summer, and as rain in harvest, so honor is not fitting for a fool. Verse 2 Like a fluttering sparrow, like a darting swallow, so the undeserved curse doesn't come to rest. Verse 3 A whip is for the horse, a bridle for the donkey, and a rod for the back of fools! Verse 4 Do not answer a fool according to his folly, lest you also be like him. Verse 5 Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own eyes. Verse 6 One who sends a message by the hand of a fool is cutting off feet and drinking violence. Verse 7 Like the legs of the lame that hang loose: so is a parable in the mouth of fools. Verse 8 As one who binds a stone in a sling, so is he who gives honor to a fool. Verse 9 Like a thornbush that goes into the hand of a drunkard, so is a parable in the mouth of fools. Verse 10 As an archer who wounds all, so is he who hires a fool or he who hires those who pass by. Verse 11 As a dog that returns to his vomit, so is a fool who repeats his folly. Verse 12 Do you see a man wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him. Verse 13 The sluggard says, "There is a lion in the road! A fierce lion roams the streets!" Verse 14 As the door turns on its hinges, so does the sluggard on his bed. Verse 15 The sluggard buries his hand in the dish. He is too lazy to bring it back to his mouth. Verse 16 The sluggard is wiser in his own eyes than seven men who answer with discretion. Verse 17 Like one who grabs a dog's ears is one who passes by and meddles in a quarrel not his own. Verse 18 Like a madman who shoots firebrands, arrows, and death, Verse 19 is the man who deceives his neighbor and says, "Am I not joking?" Verse 20 For lack of wood a fire goes out. Without gossip, a quarrel dies down. Verse 21 As coals are to hot embers, and wood to fire, so is a contentious man to kindling strife. Verse 22 The words of a whisperer are as dainty morsels, they go down into the innermost parts. Verse 23 Like silver dross on an earthen vessel are the lips of a fervent one with an evil heart. Verse 24 A malicious man disguises himself with his lips, but he harbors evil in his heart. Verse 25 When his speech is charming, do not believe him; for there are seven abominations in his heart. Verse 26 His malice may be concealed by deception, but his wickedness will be exposed in the assembly. Verse 27 Whoever digs a pit shall fall into it. Whoever rolls a stone, it will come back on him. Verse 28 A lying tongue hates those it hurts; and a flattering mouth works ruin.