American Standard Version ASV
Holman Christian Standard Bible CSB
1 As snow in summer, and as rain in harvest, So honor is not seemly for a fool.
1
Like snow in summer and rain at harvest, honor is inappropriate for a fool.
2 As the sparrow in her wandering, as the swallow in her flying, So the curse that is causeless alighteth not.
2
Like a flitting sparrow or a fluttering swallow, an undeserved curse goes nowhere.
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 thou also be like unto him.
4
Don't answer a fool according to his foolishness, or you'll be like him yourself.
5 Answer a fool according to his folly, Lest he be wise in his own conceit.
5
Answer a fool according to his foolishness, or he'll become wise in his own eyes.
6 He that sendeth a message by the hand of a fool Cutteth off [his own] feet, [and] drinketh in damage.
6
The one who sends a message by a fool's hand cuts off his own feet and drinks violence.
7 The legs of the lame hang loose: So is a parable in the mouth of fools.
7
A proverb in the mouth of a fool is like lame legs that hang limp.
8 As one that bindeth a stone in a sling, So is he that giveth honor to a fool.
8
Giving honor to a fool is like binding a stone in a sling.
9 [As] a thorn that goeth up into the hand of a drunkard, So is a parable in the mouth of fools.
9
A proverb in the mouth of a fool is like a stick with thorns, brandished by the hand of a drunkard.
10 [As] an archer that woundeth all, So is he that hireth a fool and he that hireth them that pass by.
10
The one who hires a fool, or who hires those passing by, is like an archer who wounds everyone.
11 As a dog that returneth to his vomit, [So is] a fool that repeateth his folly.
11
As a dog returns to its vomit, so a fool repeats his foolishness.
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 man who is wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him.
13 The sluggard saith, There is a lion in the way; A lion is in the streets.
13
The slacker says, "There's a lion in the road- a lion in the public square!"
14 [As] the door turneth upon its hinges, So doth the sluggard upon his bed.
14
A door turns on its hinge, and a slacker, on his bed.
15 The sluggard burieth his hand in the dish; It wearieth him to bring it again to his mouth.
15
The slacker buries his hand in the bowl; he is too weary to bring it to his mouth.
16 The sluggard is wiser in his own conceit Than seven men that can render a reason.
16
In his own eyes, a slacker is wiser than seven men who can answer sensibly.
17 He that passeth by, [and] vexeth himself with strife belonging not to him, Is [like] one that taketh a dog by the ears.
17
A passerby who meddles in a quarrel that's not his is like one who grabs a dog by the ears.
18 As a madman who casteth firebrands, Arrows, and death,
18
Like a madman who throws flaming darts and deadly arrows,
19 So is the man that deceiveth his neighbor, And saith, Am not I in sport?
19
so is the man who deceives his neighbor and says, "I was only joking!"
20 For lack of wood the fire goeth out; And where there is no whisperer, contention ceaseth.
20
Without wood, fire goes out; without a gossip, conflict dies down.
21 [As] coals are to hot embers, and wood to fire, So is a contentious man to inflame strife.
21
As charcoal for embers and wood for fire, so is a quarrelsome man for kindling strife.
22 The words of a whisperer are as dainty morsels, And they go down into the innermost parts.
22
A gossip's words are like choice food that goes down to one's innermost being.
23 Fervent lips and a wicked heart Are [like] an earthen vessel overlaid with silver dross.
23
Smooth lips with an evil heart are like glaze on an earthen vessel.
24 He that hateth dissembleth with his lips; But he layeth up deceit within him:
24
A hateful person disguises himself with his speech and harbors deceit within.
25 When he speaketh fair, believe him not; For there are seven abominations in his heart:
25
When he speaks graciously, don't believe him, for there are seven abominations in his heart.
26 Though [his] hatred cover itself with guile, His wickedness shall be openly showed before the assembly.
26
Though his hatred is concealed by deception, his evil will be revealed in the assembly.
27 Whoso diggeth a pit shall fall therein; And he that rolleth a stone, it shall return upon him.
27
The one who digs a pit will fall into it, and whoever rolls a stone- it will come back on him.
28 A lying tongue hateth those whom it hath wounded; And a flattering mouth worketh ruin.
28
A lying tongue hates those it crushes, and a flattering mouth causes ruin.
The American Standard Version is in the public domain.
Holman Christian Standard Bible ® Copyright © 2003, 2002, 2000, 1999 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.