GOD'S WORD Translation GW
New International Version NIV
1 Like snow in summertime and rain at harvest time, so honor is not right for a fool.
1
Like snow in summer or rain in harvest, honor is not fitting for a fool.
2 Like a fluttering sparrow, like a darting swallow, so a hastily spoken curse does not come to rest.
2
Like a fluttering sparrow or a darting swallow, an undeserved curse does not come to rest.
3 A whip is for the horse, a bridle is for the donkey, and a rod is for the backs of fools.
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A whip for the horse, a bridle for the donkey, and a rod for the backs of fools!
4 Do not answer a fool with his own stupidity, or you will be like him.
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Do not answer a fool according to his folly, or you yourself will be just like him.
5 Answer a fool with his own stupidity, or he will think he is wise.
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Answer a fool according to his folly, or he will be wise in his own eyes.
6 Whoever uses a fool to send a message cuts off his own feet and brings violence upon himself.
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Sending a message by the hands of a fool is like cutting off one’s feet or drinking poison.
7 [Like] a lame person's limp legs, so is a proverb in the mouths of fools.
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Like the useless legs of one who is lame is a proverb in the mouth of a fool.
8 Like tying a stone to a sling, so is giving honor to a fool.
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Like tying a stone in a sling is the giving of honor to a fool.
9 [Like] a thorn stuck in a drunk's hand, so is a proverb in the mouths of fools.
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Like a thornbush in a drunkard’s hand is a proverb in the mouth of a fool.
10 [Like] many people who destroy everything, so is one who hires fools or drifters.
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Like an archer who wounds at random is one who hires a fool or any passer-by.
11 As a dog goes back to its vomit, [so] a fool repeats his stupidity.
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As a dog returns to its vomit, so fools repeat their folly.
12 Have you met a person who thinks he is wise? There is more hope for a fool than for him.
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Do you see a person wise in their own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for them.
13 A lazy person says, "There's a ferocious lion out on the road! There's a lion loose in the streets!"
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A sluggard says, “There’s a lion in the road, a fierce lion roaming the streets!”
14 [As] a door turns on its hinges, so the lazy person turns on his bed.
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As a door turns on its hinges, so a sluggard turns on his bed.
15 A lazy person puts his fork in his food. He wears himself out as he brings it back to his mouth.
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A sluggard buries his hand in the dish; he is too lazy to bring it back to his mouth.
16 A lazy person thinks he is wiser than seven people who give a sensible answer.
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A sluggard is wiser in his own eyes than seven people who answer discreetly.
17 [Like] grabbing a dog by the ears, [so] is a bystander who gets involved in someone else's quarrel.
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Like one who grabs a stray dog by the ears is someone who rushes into a quarrel not their own.
18 Like a madman who shoots flaming arrows, arrows, and death,
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Like a maniac shooting flaming arrows of death
19 so is the person who tricks his neighbor and says, "I was only joking!"
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is one who deceives their neighbor and says, “I was only joking!”
20 Without wood a fire goes out, and without gossip a quarrel dies down.
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Without wood a fire goes out; without a gossip a quarrel dies down.
21 [As] charcoal fuels burning coals and wood fuels fire, so a quarrelsome person fuels a dispute.
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As charcoal to embers and as wood to fire, so is a quarrelsome person for kindling strife.
22 The words of a gossip are swallowed greedily, and they go down into a person's innermost being.
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The words of a gossip are like choice morsels; they go down to the inmost parts.
23 [Like] a clay pot covered with cheap silver, [so] is smooth talk that covers up an evil heart.
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Like a coating of silver dross on earthenware are fervent lips with an evil heart.
24 Whoever is filled with hate disguises it with his speech, but inside he holds on to deceit.
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Enemies disguise themselves with their lips, but in their hearts they harbor deceit.
25 When he talks charmingly, do not trust him because of the seven disgusting things in his heart.
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Though their speech is charming, do not believe them, for seven abominations fill their hearts.
26 His hatred is deceitfully hidden, but his wickedness will be revealed to the community.
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Their malice may be concealed by deception, but their wickedness will be exposed in the assembly.
27 Whoever digs a pit will fall into it. Whoever rolls a stone will have it roll back on him.
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Whoever digs a pit will fall into it; if someone rolls a stone, it will roll back on them.
28 A lying tongue hates its victims, and a flattering mouth causes ruin.
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A lying tongue hates those it hurts, and a flattering mouth works ruin.
GOD'S WORD® is a copyrighted work of God's Word to the Nations. Copyright © 1995 by God's Word to the Nations. All rights reserved. Used by permission.
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.