King James Bible

International Standard Version

1As snow in summer, and as rain in harvest, so honour is not seemly for a fool.

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

2As the bird by wandering, as the swallow by flying, so the curse causeless shall not come.

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

3A whip for the horse, a bridle for the ass, and a rod for the fool's back.

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

4Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest thou also be like unto him.

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

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

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

6He that sendeth a message by the hand of a fool cutteth off the feet, and drinketh damage.

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

7The legs of the lame are not equal: so is a parable in the mouth of fools.

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

8As he that bindeth a stone in a sling, so is he that giveth honour to a fool.

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

9As a thorn goeth up into the hand of a drunkard, so is a parable in the mouth of fools.

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

10The great God that formed all things both rewardeth the fool, and rewardeth transgressors.

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

11As a dog returneth to his vomit, so a fool returneth to his folly.

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

12Seest thou a man wise in his own conceit? there is more hope of a fool than of him.

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

13The slothful man saith, There is a lion in the way; a lion is in the streets.

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

14As the door turneth upon his hinges, so doth the slothful upon his bed.

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

15The slothful hideth his hand in his bosom; it grieveth him to bring it again to his mouth.

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

16The sluggard is wiser in his own conceit than seven men that can render a reason.

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

17He that passeth by, and meddleth with strife belonging not to him, is like one that taketh a dog by the ears.

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

18As a mad man who casteth firebrands, arrows, and death,

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

19So is the man that deceiveth his neighbour, and saith, Am not I in sport?

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

20Where no wood is, there the fire goeth out: so where there is no talebearer, the strife ceaseth.

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

21As coals are to burning coals, and wood to fire; so is a contentious man to kindle strife.

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

22The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.

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

23Burning lips and a wicked heart are like a potsherd covered with silver dross.

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

24He that hateth dissembleth with his lips, and layeth up deceit within him;

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

25When he speaketh fair, believe him not: for there are seven abominations in his heart.

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

26Whose hatred is covered by deceit, his wickedness shall be shewed before the whole congregation.

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

27Whoso diggeth a pit shall fall therein: and he that rolleth a stone, it will return upon him.

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

28A lying tongue hateth those that are afflicted by it; and a flattering mouth worketh ruin.

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

King James Bible, text courtesy of BibleProtector.com.

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