International Standard Version

English Standard Version

1Like snowfall in summer or rain at harvest time, so honor is inappropriate for a fool.

1Like snow in summer or rain in harvest, so honor is not fitting for a fool.

2Like a fluttering sparrow or a swallow in flight, a curse without cause will not alight.

2Like a sparrow in its flitting, like a swallow in its flying, a curse that is causeless does not alight.

3A whip is for the horses, a bridle is for the donkey, a rod is for the back of fools.

3A whip for the horse, a bridle for the donkey, and a rod for the back of fools.

4Don't answer a fool according to his foolishness, or you will be just like him.

4Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest you be like him yourself.

5Answer a fool according to his foolishness, or he will think himself to be wise.

5Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own eyes.

6Whoever sends a message by the hand of a fool cuts off his own feet and drinks violence.

6Whoever sends a message by the hand of a fool cuts off his own feet and drinks violence.

7Useless legs to the lame— that's what a proverb quoted by a fool is.

7Like a lame man’s legs, which hang useless, is a proverb in the mouth of fools.

8Tying a stone to a sling— that's what giving honor to a fool is.

8Like one who binds the stone in the sling is one who gives honor to a fool.

9A thorn in the hand of a drunkard— that's what a proverb quoted by a fool is.

9Like a thorn that goes up into the hand of a drunkard is a proverb in the mouth of fools.

10An archer who shoots at anyone— is like someone who hires a fool or anyone who passes by.

10Like an archer who wounds everyone is one who hires a passing fool or drunkard.

11A dog that returns to its vomit is like a fool who reverts to his folly.

11Like a dog that returns to his vomit is a fool who repeats his folly.

12Do you see a man who is wise in his own opinion? There's more hope for a fool than for him.

12Do you see a man who is wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him.

13The lazy person claims, "There is a lion in the road! There's a lion in the streets!"

13The sluggard says, “There is a lion in the road! There is a lion in the streets!”

14The door turns on its hinges— as does the lazy person on his bed.

14As a door turns on its hinges, so does a sluggard on his bed.

15The lazy person buries his hand in the dish, but he's too tired to bring it to his mouth again.

15The sluggard buries his hand in the dish; it wears him out to bring it back to his mouth.

16The lazy person is wiser in his own opinion than seven men who can give an appropriate response.

16The sluggard is wiser in his own eyes than seven men who can answer sensibly.

17Picking up a dog by the ears— that's what someone is like who meddles in another's fight.

17Whoever meddles in a quarrel not his own is like one who takes a passing dog by the ears.

18Like the maniac who shoots fiery darts and deadly arrows—

18Like a madman who throws firebrands, arrows, and death

19that's what someone is like who lies to his neighbor and then says, "I was joking, wasn't I?"

19is the man who deceives his neighbor and says, “I am only joking!”

20Without wood, the fire goes out. Without a gossip, contention stops.

20For lack of wood the fire goes out, and where there is no whisperer, quarreling ceases.

21Charcoal is to hot coals as wood is to fire; so also a quarrelsome man fuels strife.

21As charcoal to hot embers and wood to fire, so is a quarrelsome man for kindling strife.

22The words of a gossip are like delicate morsels; they sink down deep within.

22The words of a whisperer are like delicious morsels; they go down into the inner parts of the body.

23A clay vessel plated with a thin veneer of silver— that's what smooth lips with a wicked heart are.

23Like the glaze covering an earthen vessel are fervent lips with an evil heart.

24Someone who hates hides behind his words, harboring deceit within himself.

24Whoever hates disguises himself with his lips and harbors deceit in his heart;

25Though he speaks graciously, don't believe him, for there are seven detestable things in his heart.

25when he speaks graciously, believe him not, for there are seven abominations in his heart;

26Though malice disguises itself with deception, its evil will be exposed publicly.

26though his hatred be covered with deception, his wickedness will be exposed in the assembly.

27Whoever digs a pit will fall into it, and the stone will come back on whoever starts it rolling.

27Whoever digs a pit will fall into it, and a stone will come back on him who starts it rolling.

28A lying tongue hates its victims, and a flattering mouth causes ruin.

28A lying tongue hates its victims, and a flattering mouth works ruin.

The Holy Bible: International Standard Version® Release 2.1 Copyright © 1996-2012 The ISV Foundation ALL RIGHTS RESERVED INTERNATIONALLY.

ESV Text Edition: 2016. The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®) copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. The ESV® text has been reproduced in cooperation with and by permission of Good News Publishers. Unauthorized reproduction of this publication is prohibited. All rights reserved.