The fool and his folly
1
As snow in summer, and as rain in harvest, || So honor [is] not fitting for a fool.
2
As a bird by wandering, as a swallow by flying, || So reviling without cause does not come.
3
A whip is for a horse, a bridle for a donkey, || And a rod for the back of fools.
4
Do not answer a fool according to his folly, || Lest you are like to him—even you.
5
Answer a fool according to his folly, || Lest he is wise in his own eyes.
6
He is cutting off feet, he is drinking injury, || Who is sending things by the hand of a fool.
7
The two legs of the lame have been weak, || And an allegory in the mouth of fools.
8
As one who is binding a stone in a sling, || So [is] he who is giving honor to a fool.
9
A thorn has gone up into the hand of a drunkard, || And an allegory in the mouth of fools.
10
The Former of all [is] great, || And He is rewarding a fool, || And is rewarding transgressors.
11
As a dog has returned to its vomit, || A fool is repeating his folly.
12
You have seen a man wise in his own eyes, || More hope of a fool than of him!
The lazy and the lying tongue
13
The slothful has said, || “A lion [is] in the way, || A lion [is] in the broad places.”
14
The door turns around on its hinge, || And the slothful on his bed.
15
The slothful has hid his hand in a dish, || He is weary of bringing it back to his mouth.
16
Wiser [is] the slothful in his own eyes, || Than seven [men] returning a reason.
17
Laying hold on the ears of a dog, || [Is] a passer-by making himself wrath for strife [that is] not his own.
18
As [one] pretending to be feeble, || Who is casting sparks, arrows, and death,
19
So has a man deceived his neighbor, || And has said, “Am I not playing?”
20
Fire is going out without wood, || And contention ceases without a tale-bearer,
21
Coal to burning coals, and wood to fire, || And a man of contentions to kindle strife.
22
The words of a tale-bearer [are] as self-inflicted wounds, || And they have gone down [to] the inner parts of the heart.
23
Silver of dross spread over potsherd, || [Are] burning lips and an evil heart.
24
A hater pretends by his lips, || And he places deceit in his heart,
25
When his voice is gracious do not trust in him, || For seven abominations [are] in his heart.
26
Hatred is covered by deceit, || Its wickedness is revealed in an assembly.
27
Whoever is digging a pit falls into it, || And the roller of a stone, it turns to him.
28
A lying tongue hates its bruised ones, || And a flattering mouth works an overthrow!
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