Hebrew Names Version HNV
New International Version NIV
1 Like snow in summer, and as 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 fluttering sparrow, Like a darting swallow, So the undeserved curse doesn't come to rest.
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 back of fools!
3
A whip for the horse, a bridle for the donkey, and a rod for the backs of fools!
4 Don't 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 One who sends a message by the hand of a fool Is cutting off feet and drinking 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 loose: So is a parable 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 As one who binds a stone in a sling, So is he who gives 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 thornbush that goes into the hand of a drunkard, So is a parable in the mouth of fools.
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Like a thornbush in a drunkard’s hand is a proverb in the mouth of a fool.
10 As an archer who wounds all, So is he who hires a fool Or he who hires those who pass by.
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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 that returns to his vomit, So is a fool who 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 sluggard says, "There is a lion in the road! A fierce lion roams the streets!"
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A sluggard says, “There’s a lion in the road, a fierce lion roaming the streets!”
14 As the door turns on its hinges, So does the sluggard on his bed.
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As a door turns on its hinges, so a sluggard turns on his bed.
15 The sluggard buries his hand in the dish. He is too lazy 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 sluggard is wiser in his own eyes Than seven men who answer with discretion.
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A sluggard is wiser in his own eyes than seven people who answer discreetly.
17 Like one who seizes a dog's ears Is one who passes by and meddles in a quarrel not his own.
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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 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, "Am I not joking?"
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is one who deceives their neighbor and says, “I was only joking!”
20 For lack of wood the fire goes out; Where there is no gossip, a quarrel dies down.
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Without wood a fire goes out; without a gossip a quarrel dies down.
21 As coals are to hot embers, 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 whisperer are as dainty morsels, They go down into the innermost parts.
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The words of a gossip are like choice morsels; they go down to the inmost parts.
23 Like silver dross on an earthen vessel Are the lips of a fervent one with an evil heart.
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Like a coating of silver dross on earthenware are fervent lips with an evil heart.
24 A malicious man disguises himself with his lips, But he harbors evil in his heart.
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Enemies disguise themselves with their lips, but in their hearts they harbor deceit.
25 When his speech is charming, don't 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 His malice may be concealed by deception, But his wickedness will be exposed in 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 shall fall into it. Whoever rolls a stone, it will come 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 it hurts; And a flattering mouth works ruin.
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A lying tongue hates those it hurts, and a flattering mouth works ruin.
The Hebrew Names 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.