| King James Bible | Holman 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 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 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 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 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. | 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 man 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 man 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 abominations 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. |
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