King James Version KJV
New International Version NIV
1 As snow in summer, and as rain in harvest, so honour is not seemly for a fool.
1
Like snow in summer or rain in harvest, honor is not fitting for a fool.
2 As the bird by wandering, as the swallow by flying, so the curse causeless 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 fool's back.
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 conceit.
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 the 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 are not equal: so is a parable 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 he that bindeth a stone in a sling, 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 parable in the mouth of fools.
9
Like a thornbush in a drunkard’s hand is a proverb in the mouth of a fool.
10 The great God that formed all things both rewardeth the fool, and rewardeth transgressors.
10
Like an archer who wounds at random is one who hires a fool or any passer-by.
11 As a dog returneth to his vomit, so a fool returneth to his folly.
11
As a dog returns to its vomit, so fools repeat their folly.
12 Seest thou a man wise in his own conceit? 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 slothful man saith, There is a lion in the way; a lion is in 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 his hinges, so doth the slothful upon his bed.
14
As a door turns on its hinges, so a sluggard turns on his bed.
15 The slothful hideth his hand in his bosom; it grieveth 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 The sluggard is wiser in his own conceit than seven men that can render a reason.
16
A sluggard is wiser in his own eyes than seven people who answer discreetly.
17 He that passeth by, and meddleth 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 mad man who casteth firebrands, arrows, and death,
18
Like a maniac shooting flaming arrows of death
19 So is the man that deceiveth his neighbour, and saith, Am not I in sport?
19
is one who deceives their neighbor and says, “I was only joking!”
20 Where no wood is, there the fire goeth out: so where there is no talebearer, the strife ceaseth.
20
Without wood a fire goes out; without a gossip a quarrel dies down.
21 As coals are to burning coals, and wood to fire; so is a contentious man to kindle 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 wounds, 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 Burning lips and a wicked heart are like a potsherd covered 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, and layeth up deceit within him;
24
Enemies disguise themselves with their lips, but in their hearts they harbor deceit.
25 When he speaketh fair, 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 Whose hatred is covered by deceit, his wickedness shall be shewed before the whole 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 will 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 afflicted by it; and a flattering mouth worketh ruin.
28
A lying tongue hates those it hurts, and a flattering mouth works ruin.
The King James Version 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.