New King James Version NKJV
New International Version NIV
1 As snow in summer and rain in harvest, So honor is not fitting for a fool.
1
Like snow in summer or rain in harvest, honor is not fitting for a fool.
2 Like a flitting sparrow, like a flying swallow, So a curse without cause shall not alight.
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 donkey, And a rod for the fool's back.
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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 according to his folly, Lest you also 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 according to his folly, Lest he be wise in his own eyes.
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Answer a fool according to his folly, or he will be wise in his own eyes.
6 He who sends a message by the hand of a fool Cuts off his own feet and drinks violence.
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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 the legs of the lame that hang limp Is a proverb in the mouth 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 one who binds a stone in a sling Is he who gives honor to a fool.
8
Like tying a stone in a sling is the giving of honor to a fool.
9 Like a thorn that goes into the hand of a drunkard 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 The great God who formed everything Gives the fool his hire and the transgressor his wages.
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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 returns to his own vomit, So a fool repeats his folly.
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As a dog returns to its vomit, so fools repeat their folly.
12 Do you see a man wise in his own eyes? 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 The lazy man says, "There is a lion in the road! A fierce lion is 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 does the lazy man on his bed.
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As a door turns on its hinges, so a sluggard turns on his bed.
15 The lazy man buries his hand in the bowl; It wearies him to bring 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 The lazy man is wiser in his own eyes Than seven men who can answer sensibly.
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A sluggard is wiser in his own eyes than seven people who answer discreetly.
17 He who passes by and meddles in a quarrel not his own Is like one who takes a dog by the ears.
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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 throws firebrands, arrows, and death,
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Like a maniac shooting flaming arrows of death
19 Is the man who deceives 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 Where there is no wood, the fire goes out; And where there is no talebearer, strife ceases.
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Without wood a fire goes out; without a gossip a quarrel dies down.
21 As charcoal is to burning coals, and wood to fire, So is a contentious man to kindle strife.
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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 talebearer are like tasty trifles, And they go down into the inmost body.
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The words of a gossip are like choice morsels; they go down to the inmost parts.
23 Fervent lips with a wicked heart Are like earthenware covered with silver dross.
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Like a coating of silver dross on earthenware are fervent lips with an evil heart.
24 He who hates, disguises it with his lips, And lays up deceit within himself;
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Enemies disguise themselves with their lips, but in their hearts they harbor deceit.
25 When he speaks kindly, do not believe him, For there are seven abominations in his heart;
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Though their speech is charming, do not believe them, for seven abominations fill their hearts.
26 Though his hatred is covered by deceit, His wickedness will be revealed before the assembly.
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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, And he who 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 those who are crushed by it, And a flattering mouth works ruin.
28
A lying tongue hates those it hurts, and a flattering mouth works ruin.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
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.