Septuagint Bible w/ Apocrypha LXX
New International Version NIV
1 As dew in harvest, and as rain in summer, so honour is not for a fool.
1
Like snow in summer or rain in harvest, honor is not fitting for a fool.
2 As birds and sparrows fly, so a curse shall not come upon any one without a cause.
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Like a fluttering sparrow or a darting swallow, an undeserved curse does not come to rest.
3 As a whip for a horse, and a goad for an ass, so a rod for a simple nation.
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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 become like him.
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Do not answer a fool according to his folly, or you yourself will be just like him.
5 Yet answer a fool according to his folly, lest he seem wise in his own conceit.
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Answer a fool according to his folly, or he will be wise in his own eyes.
6 He that sends a message by a foolish messenger procures for himself a reproach from his own ways.
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Sending a message by the hands of a fool is like cutting off one’s feet or drinking poison.
7 take away the motion of the legs, as transgression from 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 He that binds up a stone in a sling, is like one that gives glory to a fool.
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Like tying a stone in a sling is the giving of honor to a fool.
9 Thorns grow in the hand of a drunkard, and servitude in the hand of fools.
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Like a thornbush in a drunkard’s hand is a proverb in the mouth of a fool.
10 All the flesh of fools endures much hardship; for their fury is brought to nought.
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Like an archer who wounds at random is one who hires a fool or any passer-by.
11 As when a dog goes to his own vomit, and becomes abominable, so is fool who returns in his wickedness to his own sin. [There is a shame that brings sin: and there is a shame glory and grace.]
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As a dog returns to its vomit, so fools repeat their folly.
12 I have seen a man who seemed to himself to be wise; but a fool had more hope than he.
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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 sluggard when sent on a journey says, a lion in the ways, and murderers 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 the hinge, so does a sluggard on his bed.
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As a door turns on its hinges, so a sluggard turns on his bed.
15 A sluggard having hid his hand in his bosom, will not be able to bring it up 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 sluggard seems to himself wiser than one who most satisfactorily brings back a message.
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A sluggard is wiser in his own eyes than seven people who answer discreetly.
17 As he that lays hold of a dog's tail, so is he that makes himself the champion of another's cause.
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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 As those who need correction put forth words to men, and he that first falls in with the proposal will be overthrown;
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Like a maniac shooting flaming arrows of death
19 so are all that lay wait for their own friends, and when they are discovered, say, I did it in jest.
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is one who deceives their neighbor and says, “I was only joking!”
20 With much wood fire increases; but where there is not a double-minded man, strife ceases.
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Without wood a fire goes out; without a gossip a quarrel dies down.
21 A hearth for coals, and wood for fire; and railing man for the tumult of 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 cunning knaves are soft; but they smite to the inmost parts of the bowels.
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The words of a gossip are like choice morsels; they go down to the inmost parts.
23 Silver dishonestly given is to be considered as a potsherd: smooth lips cover a grievous heart.
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Like a coating of silver dross on earthenware are fervent lips with an evil heart.
24 A weeping enemy promises all things with his lips, but in his heart he contrives deceit.
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Enemies disguise themselves with their lips, but in their hearts they harbor deceit.
25 Though enemy intreat thee with a loud voice, consent not: 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 He that hides enmity frames deceit: but being easily discerned, exposes his own sins in the public assemblies.
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Their malice may be concealed by deception, but their wickedness will be exposed in the assembly.
27 He that digs a pit for his neighbour shall fall into it: and he that rolls a stone, rolls it upon himself.
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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 the truth; and an unguarded mouth causes tumults.
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A lying tongue hates those it hurts, and a flattering mouth works ruin.
The Brenton translation of the Septuagint 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.