Revised Standard Version RSV
New International Version NIV
1 Like snow in summer or 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 sparrow in its flitting, like a swallow in its flying, a curse that is causeless does 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 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 you be like him yourself.
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 who sends a message by the hand of a fool cuts off his own feet and drinks violence.
6
Sending a message by the hands of a fool is like cutting off one’s feet or drinking poison.
7 Like a lame man's legs, which hang useless, 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 Like one who binds the stone in the 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.
Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright 1952 [2nd edition, 1971] by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. 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.