The Darby Translation DBY
New International Version NIV
1 As snow in summer, and as rain in harvest, so honour beseemeth not a fool.
1
Like snow in summer or rain in harvest, honor is not fitting for a fool.
2 As the sparrow for flitting about, as the swallow for flying, so a curse undeserved shall not come.
2
Like a fluttering sparrow or a darting swallow, an undeserved curse does not come to rest.
3 A whip for the horse, a bridle for the ass, and a rod for the back of fools.
3
A whip for the horse, a bridle for the donkey, and a rod for the backs of fools!
4 Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest thou also be like unto him.
4
Do not answer a fool according to his folly, or you yourself will be just like him.
5 Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own eyes.
5
Answer a fool according to his folly, or he will be wise in his own eyes.
6 He that sendeth a message by the hand of a fool cutteth off [his own] feet, [and] drinketh damage.
6
Sending a message by the hands of a fool is like cutting off one’s feet or drinking poison.
7 The legs of the lame hang loose; so is a proverb in the mouth of fools.
7
Like the useless legs of one who is lame is a proverb in the mouth of a fool.
8 As a bag of gems in a stoneheap, so is he that giveth honour to a fool.
8
Like tying a stone in a sling is the giving of honor to a fool.
9 [As] a thorn goeth up into the hand of a drunkard, so is a proverb in the mouth of fools.
9
Like a thornbush in a drunkard’s hand is a proverb in the mouth of a fool.
10 A master roughly worketh every one: he both hireth the fool and hireth passers-by.
10
Like an archer who wounds at random is one who hires a fool or any passer-by.
11 As a dog turneth back to its vomit, [so] a fool repeateth his folly.
11
As a dog returns to its vomit, so fools repeat their folly.
12 Hast thou seen a man wise in his own eyes? There is more hope of a fool than of him.
12
Do you see a person wise in their own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for them.
13 The sluggard saith, There is a fierce lion in the way; a lion is in the midst of the streets!
13
A sluggard says, “There’s a lion in the road, a fierce lion roaming the streets!”
14 [As] the door turneth upon its hinges, so the sluggard upon his bed.
14
As a door turns on its hinges, so a sluggard turns on his bed.
15 The sluggard burieth his hand in the dish: it wearieth him to bring it again to his mouth.
15
A sluggard buries his hand in the dish; he is too lazy to bring it back to his mouth.
16 A sluggard is wiser in his own eyes than seven [men] that answer discreetly.
16
A sluggard is wiser in his own eyes than seven people who answer discreetly.
17 He that passing by vexeth himself with strife belonging not to him, is [like] one that taketh a dog by the ears.
17
Like one who grabs a stray dog by the ears is someone who rushes into a quarrel not their own.
18 As a madman who casteth firebrands, arrows, and death,
18
Like a maniac shooting flaming arrows of death
19 so is a man that deceiveth his neighbour, and saith, Am I not in sport?
19
is one who deceives their neighbor and says, “I was only joking!”
20 Where no wood is, the fire goeth out; and where there is no talebearer, the contention ceaseth.
20
Without wood a fire goes out; without a gossip a quarrel dies down.
21 [As] coals for hot coals, and wood for fire, so is a contentious man to inflame strife.
21
As charcoal to embers and as wood to fire, so is a quarrelsome person for kindling strife.
22 The words of a talebearer are as dainty morsels, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.
22
The words of a gossip are like choice morsels; they go down to the inmost parts.
23 Ardent lips, and a wicked heart, are [as] an earthen vessel overlaid with silver dross.
23
Like a coating of silver dross on earthenware are fervent lips with an evil heart.
24 He that hateth dissembleth with his lips, but he layeth up deceit within him:
24
Enemies disguise themselves with their lips, but in their hearts they harbor deceit.
25 when his voice is gracious, believe him not, for there are seven abominations in his heart.
25
Though their speech is charming, do not believe them, for seven abominations fill their hearts.
26 Though [his] hatred is covered by dissimulation, his wickedness shall be made manifest in the congregation.
26
Their malice may be concealed by deception, but their wickedness will be exposed in the assembly.
27 Whoso diggeth a pit shall fall therein; and he that rolleth a stone, it shall return upon him.
27
Whoever digs a pit will fall into it; if someone rolls a stone, it will roll back on them.
28 A lying tongue hateth those that are injured by it, and a flattering mouth worketh ruin.
28
A lying tongue hates those it hurts, and a flattering mouth works ruin.
The Darby Translation is in the public domain.
Scripture quoted by permission. Quotations designated (NIV) are from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica. All rights reserved worldwide.