King James Version KJV
New Revised Standard NRS
1 As snow in summer, and as rain in harvest, so honour is not seemly for a fool.
1
Like snow in summer or rain in harvest, so 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 sparrow in its flitting, like a swallow in its flying, an undeserved curse goes nowhere.
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 back of fools.
4 Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest thou also be like unto him.
4
Do not answer fools according to their folly, or you will be a fool yourself.
5 Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own conceit.
5
Answer fools according to their folly, or they will be wise in their own eyes.
6 He that sendeth a message by the hand of a fool cutteth off the feet, and drinketh damage.
6
It is like cutting off one's foot and drinking down violence, to send a message by a fool.
7 The legs of the lame are not equal: so is a parable in the mouth of fools.
7
The legs of a disabled person hang limp; so does a proverb in the mouth of a fool.
8 As he that bindeth a stone in a sling, so is he that giveth honour to a fool.
8
It is like binding a stone in a sling to give 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 brandished by the hand of a drunkard 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 everybody is one who hires a passing fool or drunkard.
11 As a dog returneth to his vomit, so a fool returneth to his folly.
11
Like a dog that returns to its vomit is a fool who reverts to his 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 persons wise in their own eyes? There is more hope for fools than for them.
13 The slothful man saith, There is a lion in the way; a lion is in the streets.
13
The lazy person says, "There is a lion in the road! There is a lion in the streets!"
14 As the door turneth upon his hinges, so doth the slothful upon his bed.
14
As a door turns on its hinges, so does a lazy person in bed.
15 The slothful hideth his hand in his bosom; it grieveth him to bring it again to his mouth.
15
The lazy person buries a hand in the dish, and is too tired to bring it back to the mouth.
16 The sluggard is wiser in his own conceit than seven men that can render a reason.
16
The lazy person is wiser in self-esteem than seven who can 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 somebody who takes a passing dog by the ears is one who meddles in the quarrel of another.
18 As a mad man who casteth firebrands, arrows, and death,
18
Like a maniac who shoots deadly firebrands and arrows,
19 So is the man that deceiveth his neighbour, and saith, Am not I in sport?
19
so is one who deceives a neighbor and says, "I am only joking!"
20 Where no wood is, there the fire goeth out: so where there is no talebearer, the strife ceaseth.
20
For lack of wood the fire goes out, and where there is no whisperer, quarreling ceases.
21 As coals are to burning coals, and wood to fire; so is a contentious man to kindle strife.
21
As charcoal is to hot embers and wood to fire, so is a quarrelsome person for kindling strife.
22 The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.
22
The words of a whisperer are like delicious morsels; they go down into the inner parts of the body.
23 Burning lips and a wicked heart are like a potsherd covered with silver dross.
23
Like the glaze covering an earthen vessel are smooth lips with an evil heart.
24 He that hateth dissembleth with his lips, and layeth up deceit within him;
24
An enemy dissembles in speaking while harboring deceit within;
25 When he speaketh fair, believe him not: for there are seven abominations in his heart.
25
when an enemy speaks graciously, do not believe it, for there are seven abominations concealed within;
26 Whose hatred is covered by deceit, his wickedness shall be shewed before the whole congregation.
26
though hatred is covered with guile, the enemy's wickedness will be exposed in the assembly.
27 Whoso diggeth a pit shall fall therein: and he that rolleth a stone, it will return upon him.
27
Whoever digs a pit will fall into it, and a stone will come back on the one who starts it rolling.
28 A lying tongue hateth those that are afflicted by it; and a flattering mouth worketh ruin.
28
A lying tongue hates its victims, and a flattering mouth works ruin.
The King James Version is in the public domain.
New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989, 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.