New International Version NIV
King James Version KJV
1 Like snow in summer or rain in harvest, honor is not fitting for a fool.
1
As snow in summer, and as rain in harvest, so honour is not seemly for a fool.
2 Like a fluttering sparrow or a darting swallow, an undeserved curse does not come to rest.
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As the bird by wandering, as the swallow by flying, so the curse causeless shall not come.
3 A whip for the horse, a bridle for the donkey, and a rod for the backs of fools!
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A whip for the horse, a bridle for the ass, and a rod for the fool's back.
4 Do not answer a fool according to his folly, or you yourself will be just like him.
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Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest thou also be like unto him.
5 Answer a fool according to his folly, or he will be wise in his own eyes.
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Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own conceit.
6 Sending a message by the hands of a fool is like cutting off one’s feet or drinking poison.
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He that sendeth a message by the hand of a fool cutteth off the feet, and drinketh damage.
7 Like the useless legs of one who is lame is a proverb in the mouth of a fool.
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The legs of the lame are not equal: so is a parable in the mouth of fools.
8 Like tying a stone in a sling is the giving of honor to a fool.
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As he that bindeth a stone in a sling, so is he that giveth honour to a fool.
9 Like a thornbush in a drunkard’s hand is a proverb in the mouth of a fool.
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As a thorn goeth up into the hand of a drunkard, so is a parable in the mouth of fools.
10 Like an archer who wounds at random is one who hires a fool or any passer-by.
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The great God that formed all things both rewardeth the fool, and rewardeth transgressors.
11 As a dog returns to its vomit, so fools repeat their folly.
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As a dog returneth to his vomit, so a fool returneth to his folly.
12 Do you see a person wise in their own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for them.
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Seest thou a man wise in his own conceit? there is more hope of a fool than of him.
13 A sluggard says, “There’s a lion in the road, a fierce lion roaming the streets!”
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The slothful man saith, There is a lion in the way; a lion is in the streets.
14 As a door turns on its hinges, so a sluggard turns on his bed.
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As the door turneth upon his hinges, so doth the slothful upon his bed.
15 A sluggard buries his hand in the dish; he is too lazy to bring it back to his mouth.
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The slothful hideth his hand in his bosom; it grieveth him to bring it again to his mouth.
16 A sluggard is wiser in his own eyes than seven people who answer discreetly.
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The sluggard is wiser in his own conceit than seven men that can render a reason.
17 Like one who grabs a stray dog by the ears is someone who rushes into a quarrel not their own.
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He that passeth by, and meddleth with strife belonging not to him, is like one that taketh a dog by the ears.
18 Like a maniac shooting flaming arrows of death
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As a mad man who casteth firebrands, arrows, and death,
19 is one who deceives their neighbor and says, “I was only joking!”
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So is the man that deceiveth his neighbour, and saith, Am not I in sport?
20 Without wood a fire goes out; without a gossip a quarrel dies down.
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Where no wood is, there the fire goeth out: so where there is no talebearer, the strife ceaseth.
21 As charcoal to embers and as wood to fire, so is a quarrelsome person for kindling strife.
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As coals are to burning coals, and wood to fire; so is a contentious man to kindle strife.
22 The words of a gossip are like choice morsels; they go down to the inmost parts.
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The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.
23 Like a coating of silver dross on earthenware are fervent lips with an evil heart.
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Burning lips and a wicked heart are like a potsherd covered with silver dross.
24 Enemies disguise themselves with their lips, but in their hearts they harbor deceit.
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He that hateth dissembleth with his lips, and layeth up deceit within him;
25 Though their speech is charming, do not believe them, for seven abominations fill their hearts.
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When he speaketh fair, believe him not: for there are seven abominations in his heart.
26 Their malice may be concealed by deception, but their wickedness will be exposed in the assembly.
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Whose hatred is covered by deceit, his wickedness shall be shewed before the whole congregation.
27 Whoever digs a pit will fall into it; if someone rolls a stone, it will roll back on them.
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Whoso diggeth a pit shall fall therein: and he that rolleth a stone, it will return upon him.
28 A lying tongue hates those it hurts, and a flattering mouth works ruin.
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A lying tongue hateth those that are afflicted by it; and a flattering mouth worketh ruin.
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.
The King James Version is in the public domain.