King James Bible

English Standard Version

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

1Like snow in summer or rain in harvest, so honor is not fitting for a fool.

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

2Like a sparrow in its flitting, like a swallow in its flying, a curse that is causeless does not alight.

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 back of fools.

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

4Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest you 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 folly, lest he be wise in his own eyes.

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

6Whoever sends a message by the hand of a fool 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.

7Like a lame man’s legs, which hang useless, is a proverb in the mouth of fools.

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

8Like one who binds the stone in the sling is one who gives honor to a fool.

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

9Like a thorn that goes up into the hand of a drunkard is a proverb in the mouth of fools.

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

10Like an archer who wounds everyone is one who hires a passing fool or drunkard.

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

11Like a dog that returns to his vomit is a fool who repeats his folly.

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

12Do you see a man 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 sluggard says, “There is a lion in the road! There is a lion in the streets!”

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

14As a door turns on its hinges, so does a sluggard on his bed.

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

15The sluggard buries his hand in the dish; it wears him out to bring it back to his mouth.

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

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

17Whoever meddles in a quarrel not his own is like one who takes a passing dog by the ears.

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

18Like a madman who throws firebrands, arrows, and death

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

19is the man who deceives his neighbor and says, “I am only joking!”

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

20For lack of wood the fire goes out, and where there is no whisperer, quarreling ceases.

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

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

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

22The words of a whisperer are like delicious morsels; they go down into the inner parts of the body.

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

23Like the glaze covering an earthen vessel are fervent lips with an evil heart.

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

24Whoever hates disguises himself with his lips and harbors deceit in his heart;

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

25when he speaks graciously, believe him not, for there are seven abominations in his heart;

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

26though his hatred be covered with deception, his wickedness will be exposed in the assembly.

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

27Whoever digs a pit will fall into it, and a stone will come back on him who starts it rolling.

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

28A lying tongue hates its victims, and a flattering mouth works ruin.

King James Bible, text courtesy of BibleProtector.com.

ESV Text Edition: 2016. The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®) copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. The ESV® text has been reproduced in cooperation with and by permission of Good News Publishers. Unauthorized reproduction of this publication is prohibited. All rights reserved.