New International Version NIV
New King James Version NKJV
1 Like snow in summer or rain in harvest, honor is not fitting for a fool.
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As snow in summer and rain in harvest, So honor is not fitting for a fool.
2 Like a fluttering sparrow or a darting swallow, an undeserved curse does not come to rest.
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Like a flitting sparrow, like a flying swallow, So a curse without cause shall not alight.
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 donkey, 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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Do not answer a fool according to his folly, Lest you also be like 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 eyes.
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 who sends a message by the hand of a fool Cuts off his own feet and drinks violence.
7 Like the useless legs of one who is lame is a proverb in the mouth of a fool.
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Like the legs of the lame that hang limp Is a proverb 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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Like one who binds a stone in a sling Is he who gives honor 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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Like a thorn that goes into the hand of a drunkard Is a proverb 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 who formed everything Gives the fool his hire and the transgressor his wages.
11 As a dog returns to its vomit, so fools repeat their folly.
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As a dog returns to his own vomit, So a fool repeats 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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Do you see a man wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him.
13 A sluggard says, “There’s a lion in the road, a fierce lion roaming the streets!”
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The lazy man says, "There is a lion in the road! A fierce 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 a door turns on its hinges, So does the lazy man on 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 lazy man buries his hand in the bowl; It wearies him to bring it back to his mouth.
16 A sluggard is wiser in his own eyes than seven people who answer discreetly.
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The lazy man is wiser in his own eyes Than seven men who can answer sensibly.
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 who passes by and meddles in a quarrel not his own Is like one who takes a dog by the ears.
18 Like a maniac shooting flaming arrows of death
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Like a madman who throws firebrands, arrows, and death,
19 is one who deceives their neighbor and says, “I was only joking!”
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Is the man who deceives his neighbor, And says, "I was only joking!"
20 Without wood a fire goes out; without a gossip a quarrel dies down.
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Where there is no wood, the fire goes out; And where there is no talebearer, strife ceases.
21 As charcoal to embers and as wood to fire, so is a quarrelsome person for kindling strife.
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As charcoal is 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 like tasty trifles, And they go down into the inmost body.
23 Like a coating of silver dross on earthenware are fervent lips with an evil heart.
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Fervent lips with a wicked heart Are like earthenware covered with silver dross.
24 Enemies disguise themselves with their lips, but in their hearts they harbor deceit.
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He who hates, disguises it with his lips, And lays up deceit within himself;
25 Though their speech is charming, do not believe them, for seven abominations fill their hearts.
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When he speaks kindly, do not believe him, 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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Though his hatred is covered by deceit, His wickedness will be revealed before the assembly.
27 Whoever digs a pit will fall into it; if someone rolls a stone, it will roll back on them.
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Whoever digs a pit will fall into it, And he who rolls a stone will have it roll back on him.
28 A lying tongue hates those it hurts, and a flattering mouth works ruin.
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A lying tongue hates those who are crushed by it, And a flattering mouth works 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.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.