New King James Version NKJV
Hebrew Names Version HNV
1 As snow in summer and rain in harvest, So honor is not fitting for a fool.
1
Like snow in summer, and as rain in harvest, So honor is not fitting for a fool.
2 Like a flitting sparrow, like a flying swallow, So a curse without cause shall not alight.
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Like a fluttering sparrow, Like a darting swallow, So the undeserved curse doesn't come to rest.
3 A whip for the horse, A bridle for the donkey, And a rod for the fool's back.
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A whip for the horse, a bridle for the donkey, And a rod for the back of fools!
4 Do not answer a fool according to his folly, Lest you also be like him.
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Don't answer a fool according to his folly, Lest you also be like him.
5 Answer a fool according to his folly, Lest he 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 He who sends a message by the hand of a fool Cuts off his own feet and drinks violence.
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One who sends a message by the hand of a fool Is cutting off feet and drinking violence.
7 Like the legs of the lame that hang limp Is a proverb in the mouth of fools.
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Like the legs of the lame that hang loose: So is a parable in the mouth of fools.
8 Like one who binds a stone in a sling Is he who gives honor to a fool.
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As one who binds a stone in a sling, So is he who gives honor to a fool.
9 Like a thorn that goes into the hand of a drunkard Is a proverb in the mouth of fools.
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Like a thornbush that goes into the hand of a drunkard, So is a parable in the mouth of fools.
10 The great God who formed everything Gives the fool his hire and the transgressor his wages.
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As an archer who wounds all, So is he who hires a fool Or he who hires those who pass by.
11 As a dog returns to his own vomit, So a fool repeats his folly.
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As a dog that returns to his vomit, So is a fool who repeats his folly.
12 Do you see a man wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him.
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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 The lazy man says, "There is a lion in the road! A fierce lion is in the streets!"
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The sluggard says, "There is a lion in the road! A fierce lion roams the streets!"
14 As a door turns on its hinges, So does the lazy man on his bed.
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As the door turns on its hinges, So does the sluggard on his bed.
15 The lazy man buries his hand in the bowl; It wearies him to bring it back to his mouth.
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The sluggard buries his hand in the dish. He is too lazy to bring it back to his mouth.
16 The lazy man is wiser in his own eyes Than seven men who can answer sensibly.
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The sluggard is wiser in his own eyes Than seven men who answer with discretion.
17 He who passes by and meddles in a quarrel not his own Is like one who takes a dog by the ears.
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Like one who seizes a dog's ears Is one who passes by and meddles in a quarrel not his own.
18 Like a madman who throws firebrands, arrows, and death,
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Like a madman who shoots firebrands, arrows, and death,
19 Is the man who deceives his neighbor, And says, "I was only joking!"
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Is the man who deceives his neighbor and says, "Am I not joking?"
20 Where there is no wood, the fire goes out; And where there is no talebearer, strife ceases.
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For lack of wood the fire goes out; Where there is no gossip, a quarrel dies down.
21 As charcoal is to burning coals, and wood to fire, So is a contentious man to kindle strife.
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As coals are to hot embers, And wood to fire, So is a contentious man to kindle strife.
22 The words of a talebearer are like tasty trifles, And they go down into the inmost body.
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The words of a whisperer are as dainty morsels, They go down into the innermost parts.
23 Fervent lips with a wicked heart Are like earthenware covered with silver dross.
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Like silver dross on an earthen vessel Are the lips of a fervent one with an evil heart.
24 He who hates, disguises it with his lips, And lays up deceit within himself;
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A malicious man disguises himself with his lips, But he harbors evil in his heart.
25 When he speaks kindly, do not believe him, For there are seven abominations in his heart;
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When his speech is charming, don't believe him; For there are seven abominations in his heart:
26 Though his hatred is covered by deceit, His wickedness will be revealed before the assembly.
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His malice may be concealed by deception, But his wickedness will be exposed in the assembly.
27 Whoever digs a pit will fall into it, And he who rolls a stone will have it roll back on him.
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Whoever digs a pit shall fall into it. Whoever rolls a stone, it will come back on him.
28 A lying tongue hates those who are crushed by it, And a flattering mouth works ruin.
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A lying tongue hates those it hurts; And a flattering mouth works ruin.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
The Hebrew Names Version is in the public domain.