2Like a bird and a flying creature in the air, so an empty curse wanders.

3A whip for a horse and a goad for a donkey, so also is a rod for the fool.

4Do not give answer to a fool according to his foolishness, lest you also be like him.

5But speak with a fool according to your wisdom lest he think in his soul that he is wise.

6He that sends a message by the hand of a fool is asking for trouble.

7If you make a cripple walk, you may take the word of a fool.

8Like a stone in a sling, so is he that praises a fool.

9Thorns are sprung up in the hand of a drunkard and madness in the mouth of the fool.

10The flesh of the fool suffers much and a drunkard crosses the sea.

11Like a dog that returns to its vomit, so is a fool that is insane in his foolishness.

12If you have seen a man that is wise in his own eyes, a fool is more useful than he.

13Whenever a lazy man is sent, he says, "A lion is in the road"; "A lion is in the midst of the streets.”

14Like a door that swings around on its hinges, so the lazy man turns on his bed.

15The lazy one that hides his hands in his chest will labor to bring them to his mouth.

16The lazy one is wiser in his own eyes than seven men who make sense.

17He that meddles in a case that is not his is like he that takes a dog by its ears.

18Just as a braggart casts words like sharp arrows of death

19So is the man that deceives his neighbor, and when it is known, says, "I was just joking.”

20When there is no wood, the fire is extinguished, and where there is no troublemaker, strife ceases.

21A gridiron for coals and wood for fire, and a malicious man provokes dispute.

22The words of the malicious stir up strife and they go down to the inner chambers of the heart.

23Like tried silver plated over a clay vessel, so are fiery lips and an evil heart.

24By his lips a hateful man is known, and he plots an ambush within him.

25And if he makes his voice gentle, do not believe him, because seven evils are within him.

26The evil of him that hides hatred in his heart will be revealed in the assembly.

27He that digs a ditch will fall into it, and he that rolls a stone, it will return upon him.

28A lying tongue hates the truth and the malicious mouth works trouble.