The Webster Bible WBT
New International Version NIV
1 As snow in summer, and as rain in harvest; so honor 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 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 honor 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 its 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 fire-brands, arrows, and death,
18
Like a maniac shooting flaming arrows of death
19 So [is] the man [that] deceiveth his neighbor, 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 tale-bearer, 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 tale-bearer [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 shown before the [whole] congregation.
26
Their malice may be concealed by deception, but their wickedness will be exposed in the assembly.
27 Whoever diggeth a pit shall fall into it: 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 Webster Bible 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.