All About Fools

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

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

1 Like snow in summer and like (A)rain in harvest,So honor is not (B)fitting for a fool.

1 Like snow in summer and rain at harvest,(A)honor is inappropriate for a fool.(B)

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

2 As the sparrow in its wandering, as the swallow in its flight, so the curse causeless shall never come.

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 flitting sparrow or a fluttering swallow,(C)an undeserved curse goes nowhere.(D)

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

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

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

3 A (E)whip is for the horse, a bridle for the donkey,And a (F)rod for the back of fools.

3 A whip for the horse, a bridle for the donkey,(E)and a rod for the backs of fools.(F)

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

4 Never answer a fool according to his folly lest thou also be like unto him.

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

4 (G)Do not answer a fool according to his folly,Or you will also be like him.

4 Don’t answer a fool according to his foolishness(G)or you’ll be like him yourself.

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

5 Answer the fool showing him his folly lest he be wise in his own conceit.

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

5 (H)Answer a fool as his folly deserves,That he not be (I)wise in his own eyes.

5 Answer a fool according to his foolishness(H)or he’ll become wise in his own eyes.(I)

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

6 He that gives responsibility to one who is not able to carry it out is like him that sends a message by the hand of a fool, and he shall drink the damage.

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

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

6 The one who sends a message by a fool’s hand(J)cuts off his own feet and drinks violence.(K)

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

7 Like unto the way that the one who is lame walks, so is a proverb in the mouth of the fool.

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

7 Like the legs which (c)are useless to the lame,So is a proverb 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.

8 As he that binds the stone in the sling, so is he that gives honour to a fool.

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

8 Like (d)one who binds a stone in a sling,So is he who gives honor to a fool.

8 Giving honor to a foolis like binding a stone in a sling.(a)

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

9 As thorns sunk into the hand of one who is drunk, so is a proverb in the mouth of fools.

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

9 Like a thorn which (e)falls into the hand of a drunkard,So is a proverb 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.

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

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

10 (f)Like an archer who wounds everyone,So is he who hires a fool or who hires those who pass by.

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.

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

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

11 Like (J)a dog that returns to its vomitIs a fool who (K)repeats (g)his folly.

11 As a dog returns to its vomit,so a fool repeats his foolishness.(L)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

13 The (N)sluggard says, “There is a lion in the road!A lion is (h)in the open square!”

13 The slacker says, “There’s a lion in the road—a lion in the public square!”(O)

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

14 As the door turns upon his hinges, so does the slothful upon his bed.

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

14 As the door turns on its hinges,So does the (O)sluggard on his bed.

14 A door turns on its hinges,and a slacker, on his bed.(P)

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

15 The slothful hides his hand in his bosom; it grieves him to bring it again to his mouth.

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

15 The (P)sluggard buries his hand in the dish;He is weary of bringing it to his mouth again.

15 The slacker buries his hand in the bowl;he is too weary to bring it to his mouth.(Q)

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

16 The sluggard is wiser in his own conceit than seven men that can give him counsel.

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

16 The sluggard is (Q)wiser in his own eyesThan seven men who can (i)give a discreet answer.

16 In his own eyes, a slacker is wiser(R)than seven men who can answer sensibly.

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

17 He that passes by and meddles with strife not belonging to him is like one that takes a dog by the ears.

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.

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

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

18 Like a madman who throws(S)Firebrands, arrows and death,

18 Like a madman who throws flaming darts and deadly arrows,(S)

18 Like the maniac who shoots fiery darts and deadly arrows

19 so is the man that destroys his friend and says, Am I not in sport?

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

19 So is the man who (T)deceives his neighbor,And says, “(U)Was I not joking?”

19 so is the man who deceives his neighborand says, “I was only joking!”

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

20 Where there is no wood, the fire goes out, so where there is no talebearer, the strife ceases.

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, fire goes out;without a gossip, conflict dies down.(T)

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

21 Charcoal for burning coals and wood for fire, and a contentious man to kindle strife.

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

21 Like charcoal to hot embers and wood to fire,So is a (X)contentious man to kindle strife.

21 As charcoal for embers and wood for fire,so is a quarrelsome man for kindling strife.(U)

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

22 The words of a talebearer seem smooth, but they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.

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

22 The (Y)words of a whisperer are like dainty morsels,And they go down into the (k)innermost parts of the body.

22 A gossip’s words are like choice foodthat goes down to one’s innermost being.(c)(V)

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

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

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

23 Like an earthen (Z)vessel overlaid with silver (AA)drossAre burning lips and a wicked heart.

23 Smooth(d) lips with an evil heartare like glaze on an earthen vessel.(W)

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

24 He that hates dissembles with his lips and lays up deceit within him;

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

24 He who (AB)hates disguises it with his lips,But he lays up (AC)deceit in his (l)heart.

24 A hateful person disguises himself with his speechand harbors deceit within.

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

25 when he speaks fair, do not believe him, for there are seven abominations 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 When he speaks graciously, don’t believe him,for there are seven abominations in his heart.(X)

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

26 Even though his hatred is covered up in the desert, his wickedness shall be showed before the whole congregation.

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.

27 Whosoever digs a pit shall fall therein, and he that rolls a stone, it will return upon him.

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

27 He who (AG)digs a pit will fall into it,And he who rolls a stone, it will come back on him.

27 The one who digs a pit will fall into it,and whoever rolls a stone—it will come back on him.(Y)

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

28 A lying tongue hates those that are afflicted by it, and a flattering mouth works ruin.

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

28 A lying tongue hates (n)those it crushes,And a (AH)flattering mouth works 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.

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