All About Fools
2 As the bird by wandering, as the swallow by flying, so the curse causeless shall not come.
2 Like a (C)sparrow in its (a)flitting, like a swallow in its flying,So a (D)curse without cause does not (b)alight.
2 Like a fluttering sparrow or a swallow in flight, a curse without cause will not alight.
4 Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest thou also be like unto him.
4 Don't answer a fool according to his foolishness, or you will be just like him.
4 Do not answer [nor pretend to agree with the frivolous comments of] a [closed-minded] fool according to his folly,Otherwise you, even you, will be like him.
7 The legs of the lame are not equal: so is a parable in the mouth of fools.
7 A proverb in the mouth of a foolis like lame legs that hang limp.
7 Useless legs to the lame that's what a proverb quoted by a fool is.
7 Like the legs which are useless to the lame,So is a proverb in the mouth of a fool [who cannot learn from its wisdom].
9 As a thorn goeth up into the hand of a drunkard, so is a parable in the mouth of fools.
9 A proverb in the mouth of a foolis like a stick with thorns,brandished by(b) the hand of a drunkard.
9 A thorn in the hand of a drunkard that's what a proverb quoted by a fool is.
9 Like a thorn that goes [without being felt] into the hand of a drunken man,So is a proverb in the mouth of a fool [who remains unaffected by its wisdom].
10 The great God that formed all things both rewardeth the fool, and rewardeth transgressors.
10 The one who hires a fool or who hires those passing byis like an archer who wounds everyone.
10 An archer who shoots at anyone is like someone who hires a fool or anyone who passes by.
10 Like a [careless] archer who [shoots arrows wildly and] wounds everyone,So is he who hires a fool or those who [by chance just] pass by.
17 He that passeth by, and meddleth with strife belonging not to him, is like one that taketh a dog by the ears.
17 Like one who takes a dog by the earsIs he who passes by and (j)meddles with (R)strife not belonging to him.
17 A person who is passing by and meddles in a quarrel that’s not hisis like one who grabs a dog by the ears.
17 Picking up a dog by the ears that's what someone is like who meddles in another's fight.
17 Like one who grabs a dog by the ears [and is likely to be bitten]Is he who, passing by, stops to meddle with a dispute that is none of his business.
20 Where no wood is, there the fire goeth out: so where there is no talebearer, the strife ceaseth.
20 For lack of wood the fire goes out,And where there is no (V)whisperer, (W)contention quiets down.
20 Without wood, the fire goes out. Without a gossip, contention stops.
20 For lack of wood the fire goes out,And where there is no whisperer [who gossips], contention quiets down.
23 Burning lips and a wicked heart are like a potsherd covered with silver dross.
23 A clay vessel plated with a thin veneer of silver that's what smooth lips with a wicked heart are.
23 Like a [common] clay vessel covered with the silver dross [making it appear silver when it has no real value]Are burning lips [murmuring manipulative words] and a wicked heart.
24 He that hateth dissembleth with his lips, and layeth up deceit within him;
24 A hateful person disguises himself with his speechand harbors deceit within.
24 Someone who hates hides behind his words, harboring deceit within himself.
24 He who hates, disguises it with his lips,But he stores up deceit in his heart.
25 When he speaketh fair, believe him not: for there are seven abominations in his heart.
25 When (m)he (AD)speaks graciously, do not believe him,For there are seven abominations in his heart.
25 Though he speaks graciously, don't believe him, for there are seven detestable things in his heart.
25 When he speaks graciously and kindly [to conceal his malice], do not trust him,For seven abominations are in his heart.
26 Whose hatred is covered by deceit, his wickedness shall be shewed before the whole congregation.
26 Though his hatred (AE)covers itself with guile,His wickedness will be (AF)revealed before the assembly.
26 Though his hatred is concealed by deception,his evil will be revealed in the assembly.
26 Though malice disguises itself with deception, its evil will be exposed publicly.
26 Though his hatred covers itself with guile and deceit,His malevolence will be revealed openly before the assembly.
28 A lying tongue hateth those that are afflicted by it; and a flattering mouth worketh ruin.
28 A lying tongue hates those it crushes,and a flattering mouth causes ruin. >
28 A lying tongue hates its victims, and a flattering mouth causes ruin.
28 A lying tongue hates those it wounds and crushes,And a flattering mouth works ruin.