Third Millennium Bible TMB
GOD'S WORD Translation GW
1 As snow in summer and as rain in harvest, so honor is not seemly for a fool.
1
Like snow in summertime and rain at harvest time, so honor is not right for a fool.
2 As the bird by wandering, as a swallow by flying, so a curse without cause shall not alight.
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Like a fluttering sparrow, like a darting swallow, so a hastily spoken curse does not come to rest.
3 A whip for the horse, a bridle for the ass, and a rod for the fool's back.
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A whip is for the horse, a bridle is for the donkey, and a rod is for the backs of fools.
4 Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest thou also be like unto him.
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Do not answer a fool with his own stupidity, or you will be like him.
5 Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he think himself wise in his own conceit.
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Answer a fool with his own stupidity, or he will think he is wise.
6 He that sendeth a message by the hand of a fool cutteth off the feet and drinketh violence.
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Whoever uses a fool to send a message cuts off his own feet and brings violence upon himself.
7 The legs of the lame are not equal; so is a parable in the mouth of fools.
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[Like] a lame person's limp legs, so is a proverb in the mouths of fools.
8 As he that bindeth a stone in a sling, so is he that giveth honor to a fool.
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Like tying a stone to a sling, so is giving honor to a fool.
9 As a thorn pierceth into the hand of a drunkard, so is a parable in the mouth of fools.
9
[Like] a thorn stuck in a drunk's hand, so is a proverb in the mouths of fools.
10 The great God who formed all things both rewardeth the fool and rewardeth transgressors.
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[Like] many people who destroy everything, so is one who hires fools or drifters.
11 As a dog returneth to his vomit, so a fool returneth to his folly.
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As a dog goes back to its vomit, [so] a fool repeats his stupidity.
12 Seest thou a man wise in his own conceit? There is more hope for a fool than for him.
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Have you met a person who thinks he is wise? There is more hope for a fool than for him.
13 The slothful man saith, "There is a lion in the way; a lion is in the streets!"
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A lazy person says, "There's a ferocious lion out on the road! There's a lion loose in the streets!"
14 As the door turneth upon his hinges, so doth the slothful upon his bed.
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[As] a door turns on its hinges, so the lazy person turns on his bed.
15 The slothful hideth his hand in his bosom; it grieveth him to bring it again to his mouth.
15
A lazy person puts his fork in his food. He wears himself out as he brings it back to his mouth.
16 The sluggard is wiser in his own conceit than seven men that can render an answer.
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A lazy person thinks he is wiser than seven people who give a sensible answer.
17 He that passeth by and meddleth in strife belonging not to him, is like one that taketh a dog by the ears.
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[Like] grabbing a dog by the ears, [so] is a bystander who gets involved in someone else's quarrel.
18 As a mad man who casteth firebrands, arrows and death,
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Like a madman who shoots flaming arrows, arrows, and death,
19 so is the man that deceiveth his neighbor and saith, "Am I not in jest?"
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so is the person who tricks his neighbor and says, "I was only joking!"
20 Where no wood is, there the fire goeth out; so, where there is no talebearer, the strife ceaseth.
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Without wood a fire goes out, and without gossip a quarrel dies down.
21 As coals are to burning coals, and wood to fire, so is a contentious man to kindle strife.
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[As] charcoal fuels burning coals and wood fuels fire, so a quarrelsome person fuels a dispute.
22 The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.
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The words of a gossip are swallowed greedily, and they go down into a person's innermost being.
23 Burning lips and a wicked heart are like a potsherd covered with silver dross.
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[Like] a clay pot covered with cheap silver, [so] is smooth talk that covers up an evil heart.
24 He that hateth dissembleth with his lips and layeth up deceit within him;
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Whoever is filled with hate disguises it with his speech, but inside he holds on to deceit.
25 when he speaketh fair believe him not, for there are seven abominations in his heart.
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When he talks charmingly, do not trust him because of the seven disgusting things in his heart.
26 Whose hatred is covered by deceit, his wickedness shall be shown before the whole congregation.
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His hatred is deceitfully hidden, but his wickedness will be revealed to the community.
27 Whoso diggeth a pit shall fall therein, and he that rolleth a stone, it will return upon him.
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Whoever digs a pit will fall into it. Whoever rolls a stone will have it roll back on him.
28 A lying tongue hateth those that are afflicted by it, and a flattering mouth worketh ruin.
28
A lying tongue hates its victims, and a flattering mouth causes ruin.
Third Millennium Bible (TMB), New Authorized Version, Copyright 1998 by Deuel Enterprises, Inc., Gary, SD 57237. All rights reserved.
GOD'S WORD® is a copyrighted work of God's Word to the Nations. Copyright © 1995 by God's Word to the Nations. All rights reserved. Used by permission.