New King James Version NKJV
Revised Standard Version RSV
1 As snow in summer and rain in harvest, So honor is not fitting for a fool.
1
Like snow in summer or 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 sparrow in its flitting, like a swallow in its flying, a curse that is causeless does not alight.
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 ass, 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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Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest you be like him yourself.
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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He who sends a message by the hand of a fool cuts off his own feet and drinks violence.
7 Like the legs of the lame that hang limp Is a proverb in the mouth of fools.
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Like a lame man's legs, which hang useless, is a proverb 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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Like one who binds the stone in the sling 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 thorn that goes up into the hand of a drunkard is a proverb 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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Like an archer who wounds everybody is he who hires a passing fool or drunkard.
11 As a dog returns to his own vomit, So a fool repeats his folly.
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Like a dog that returns to his vomit is a fool that 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 who is 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! There is a lion in the streets!"
14 As a door turns on its hinges, So does the lazy man on his bed.
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As a door turns on its hinges, so does a 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; it wears him out 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 can answer discreetly.
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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He who meddles in a quarrel not his own is like one who takes a passing dog by the ears.
18 Like a madman who throws firebrands, arrows, and death,
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Like a madman who throws 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, "I am only 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; and where there is no whisperer, quarreling ceases.
21 As charcoal is to burning coals, and wood to fire, So is a contentious man to kindle strife.
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As charcoal to hot embers and wood to fire, so is a quarrelsome man for kindling 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 like delicious morsels; they go down into the inner parts of the body.
23 Fervent lips with a wicked heart Are like earthenware covered with silver dross.
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Like the glaze covering an earthen vessel are smooth lips with an evil heart.
24 He who hates, disguises it with his lips, And lays up deceit within himself;
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He who hates, dissembles with his lips and harbors deceit 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 he speaks graciously, believe him not, 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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though his hatred be covered with guile, 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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He who digs a pit will fall into it, and a stone will come back upon him who starts it rolling.
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 its victims, 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.
Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright 1952 [2nd edition, 1971] by the 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.