New International Version NIV
Douay-Rheims Catholic Bible RHE
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 glory 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 a bird flying to other places, and a sparrow going here or there: so a curse uttered without cause shall come upon a man.
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 a horse, and a snaffle for an ass, and a rod for the back of fools.
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 be made 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 imagine himself to be wise.
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 words by a foolish messenger, is lame of feet and drinketh iniquity.
7 Like the useless legs of one who is lame is a proverb in the mouth of a fool.
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As a lame man hath fair legs in vain: so a parable is unseemly 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 casteth a stone into the heap of Mercury: 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 if a thorn should grow in 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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Judgment determineth causes: and he that putteth a fool to silence, appeaseth anger.
11 As a dog returns to its vomit, so fools repeat their folly.
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As a dog that returneth to his vomit, so is the fool that repeateth 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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Hast thou seen a man wise in his own conceit? there shall be 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, and a lioness in the roads.
14 As a door turns on its hinges, so a sluggard turns on his bed.
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As the door turneth upon its 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 under his armpit, and it grieveth him to turn it 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 speak sentences.
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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As he that taketh a dog by the ears, so is he that passeth by in anger, and meddleth with another man’s quarrel.
18 Like a maniac shooting flaming arrows of death
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As he is guilty that shooteth arrows, and lances unto death.
19 is one who deceives their neighbor and says, “I was only joking!”
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So is the man that hurteth his friend deceitfully: and when he is taken, saith: I did it in jest.
20 Without wood a fire goes out; without a gossip a quarrel dies down.
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When the wood faileth, the fire shall go out: and when the talebearer is taken away, contentions shall cease.
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 an angry man stirreth up 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 it were simple, but they reach to 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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Swelling lips joined with a corrupt heart, are like an earthen vessel adorned with silver dross.
24 Enemies disguise themselves with their lips, but in their hearts they harbor deceit.
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An enemy is known by his lips, when in his heart he entertaineth deceit.
25 Though their speech is charming, do not believe them, for seven abominations fill their hearts.
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When he shall speak low, trust him not: because there are seven mischiefs in his heart.
26 Their malice may be concealed by deception, but their wickedness will be exposed in the assembly.
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He that covereth hatred deceitfully, his malice shall be laid open in the public 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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He that diggeth a pit, shall fall into it: and he that rolleth a stone, it shall return to him.
28 A lying tongue hates those it hurts, and a flattering mouth works ruin.
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A deceitful tongue loveth not truth: and a slippery 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 Douay-Rheims Bible is in the public domain.