26 As snow in summer and 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.

³ 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,Lest you also be like him.⁵ 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 foolCuts off his own feet and drinks violence.⁷ Like the legs of the lame that hang limpIs a proverb in the mouth of fools.⁸ Like one who binds a stone in a slingIs he who gives honor to a fool.⁹ Like a thorn that goes into the hand of a drunkardIs a proverb in the mouth of fools.¹⁰ The great God who formed everythingGives the fool his hire and the transgressor his wages.^[a]11 As a dog returns to his own vomit,So a fool repeats his folly.¹² 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!”¹⁴ As a door turns on its hinges,So does the lazy man on his bed.¹⁵ The lazy man buries his hand in the bowl;^[b]It wearies him to bring it back to his mouth.¹⁶ The lazy man is wiser in his own eyesThan seven men who can answer sensibly.

¹⁷ He who passes by and meddles in a quarrel not his ownIs like one who takes a dog by the ears.

¹⁸ Like a madman who throws firebrands, arrows, and death,¹⁹ Is the man who deceives his neighbor,And says, “I was only joking!”

²⁰ Where there is no wood, the fire goes out;And where there is no talebearer, strife ceases.²¹ As charcoal is to burning coals, 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.

²³ Fervent lips with a wicked heartAre like earthenware covered with silver dross.²⁴ He who hates, disguises it with his lips,And lays up deceit within himself;²⁵ When he speaks kindly, do not 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.

²⁷ 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 who are crushed by it,And a flattering mouth works ruin.