2Like sparrows wandering and like birds flying in the air, so the curse that is causeless shall be driven away.

3A whip for the horse, a goad for the ass, and a rod for the back of a fool.

4Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest you be also like him.

5But answer a fool according to your wisdom, lest he think in himself that he is wise.

6He who sends a message by the hand of a fool drinks iniquity from under his own feet.

7As a lame man who cannot walk, so is a parable in the mouth of a fool.

8Like a stone in a sling, so is he who gives honor to a fool.

9Thorns spring up in the hand of a drunkard, and folly in the mouth of a fool.

10The body of a fool is greatly afflicted, and a drunkard thinks that he can cross a sea.

11As a dog that returns to his vomit, so is a fool that misbehaves in his folly.

12If you should see a man wise in his own eyes, a fool is much better than he.

13The sluggard says, when he is sent out, There is a lion in the way; a lion is in the streets.

14As a door turns upon its hinges, so does the slothful turn on his bed.

15The slothful hides his hands in his bosom; it grieves him to bring them again to his mouth.

16The sluggard is wiser in his own eyes than seven men with good reasoning.

17He who meddles with a quarrel not his own is like one who takes a dog by the ears.

18Like haughty men who utter words sharp and deadly as arrows,

19So is the man who deceives his neighbor; when he is caught, he says, I was merely jesting.

20When there is no wood, the fire goes out; and where there is no troublesome person, the strife ceases.

21As coals are to burning coals, and wood to fire; so is a malicious person to kindle strife.

22The words of the malicious stir up trouble; they go down into the innermost parts of the heart.

23Like silver dross which sticks to an earthen pot, so are enraged lips and an evil heart.

24He who hates is known by his own speech; in his heart he entertains deceit;

25Though he speaks in a gentle tone, believe him not; for there are seven abominations in his heart.

26He who conceals hatred in his heart, his wickedness shall be revealed in the congregation.

27He who digs a pit shall fall into it; and he who rolls a stone, it will return upon him.

28A lying tongue hates the truth; and a troublesome mouth stirs up a quarrel.