King James Bible

Christian Standard Bible

1As snow in summer, and as rain in harvest, so honour is not seemly for a fool.

1Like snow in summer and rain at harvest, honor is inappropriate for a fool.

2As the bird by wandering, as the swallow by flying, so the curse causeless shall not come.

2Like a flitting sparrow or a fluttering swallow, an undeserved curse goes nowhere.

3A whip for the horse, a bridle for the ass, and a rod for the fool's back.

3A whip for the horse, a bridle for the donkey, and a rod for the backs of fools.

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

4Don't answer a fool according to his foolishness or you'll be like him yourself.

5Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own conceit.

5Answer a fool according to his foolishness or he'll become wise in his own eyes.

6He that sendeth a message by the hand of a fool cutteth off the feet, and drinketh damage.

6The one who sends a message by a fool's hand cuts off his own feet and drinks violence.

7The legs of the lame are not equal: so is a parable in the mouth of fools.

7A proverb in the mouth of a fool is like lame legs that hang limp.

8As he that bindeth a stone in a sling, so is he that giveth honour to a fool.

8Giving honor to a fool is like binding a stone in a sling.

9As a thorn goeth up into the hand of a drunkard, so is a parable in the mouth of fools.

9A proverb in the mouth of a fool is like a stick with thorns, brandished by the hand of a drunkard.

10The great God that formed all things both rewardeth the fool, and rewardeth transgressors.

10The one who hires a fool or who hires those passing by is like an archer who wounds everyone.

11As a dog returneth to his vomit, so a fool returneth to his folly.

11As a dog returns to its vomit, so also a fool repeats his foolishness.

12Seest thou a man wise in his own conceit? there is more hope of a fool than of him.

12Do you see a person who is wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him.

13The slothful man saith, There is a lion in the way; a lion is in the streets.

13The slacker says, "There's a lion in the road--a lion in the public square!"

14As the door turneth upon his hinges, so doth the slothful upon his bed.

14A door turns on its hinges, and a slacker, on his bed.

15The slothful hideth his hand in his bosom; it grieveth him to bring it again to his mouth.

15The slacker buries his hand in the bowl; he is too weary to bring it to his mouth!

16The sluggard is wiser in his own conceit than seven men that can render a reason.

16In his own eyes, a slacker is wiser than seven who can answer sensibly.

17He that passeth by, and meddleth with strife belonging not to him, is like one that taketh a dog by the ears.

17A person who is passing by and meddles in a quarrel that's not his is like one who grabs a dog by the ears.

18As a mad man who casteth firebrands, arrows, and death,

18Like a madman who throws flaming darts and deadly arrows,

19So is the man that deceiveth his neighbour, and saith, Am not I in sport?

19so is the person who deceives his neighbor and says, "I was only joking!"

20Where no wood is, there the fire goeth out: so where there is no talebearer, the strife ceaseth.

20Without wood, fire goes out; without a gossip, conflict dies down.

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

21As charcoal for embers and wood for fire, so is a quarrelsome person for kindling strife.

22The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.

22A gossip's words are like choice food that goes down to one's innermost being.

23Burning lips and a wicked heart are like a potsherd covered with silver dross.

23Smooth lips with an evil heart are like glaze on an earthen vessel.

24He that hateth dissembleth with his lips, and layeth up deceit within him;

24A hateful person disguises himself with his speech and harbors deceit within.

25When he speaketh fair, believe him not: for there are seven abominations in his heart.

25When he speaks graciously, don't believe him, for there are seven detestable things in his heart.

26Whose hatred is covered by deceit, his wickedness shall be shewed before the whole congregation.

26Though his hatred is concealed by deception, his evil will be revealed in the assembly.

27Whoso diggeth a pit shall fall therein: and he that rolleth a stone, it will return upon him.

27The one who digs a pit will fall into it, and whoever rolls a stone--it will come back on him.

28A lying tongue hateth those that are afflicted by it; and a flattering mouth worketh ruin.

28A lying tongue hates those it crushes, and a flattering mouth causes ruin.

King James Bible, text courtesy of BibleProtector.com.

The Christian Standard Bible. Copyright © 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission.