Whoso is digging a pit falleth into it, And the roller of a stone, to him it turneth.

A lying tongue hateth its bruised ones, And a flattering mouth worketh an overthrow!

As a dog hath returned to its vomit, A fool is repeating his folly.

Answer not a fool according to his folly, Lest thou be like to him -- even thou.

Without wood is fire going out, And without a tale-bearer, contention ceaseth,

As snow in summer, and as rain in harvest, So honour is not comely for a fool.

As a bird by wandering, as a swallow by flying, So reviling without cause doth not come.

Thou hast seen a man wise in his own eyes, More hope of a fool than of him!

Laying hold on the ears of a dog, Is a passer-by making himself wrath for strife not his own.

As one pretending to be feeble, Who is casting sparks, arrows, and death,

Silver of dross spread over potsherd, Are burning lips and an evil heart.

A whip is for a horse, a bridle for an ass, And a rod for the back of fools.

By his lips doth a hater dissemble, And in his heart he placeth deceit,

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

The slothful hath said, 'A lion is in the way, A lion is in the broad places.'

The words of a tale-bearer are as self-inflicted wounds, And they have gone down to the inner parts of the heart.

Great is the Former of all, And He is rewarding a fool, And is rewarding transgressors.

Coal to burning coals, and wood to fire, And a man of contentions to kindle strife.

The door turneth round on its hinge, And the slothful on his bed.

Wiser is the slothful in his own eyes, Than seven men returning a reason.

The slothful hath hid his hand in a dish, He is weary of bringing it back to his mouth.

He is cutting off feet, he is drinking injury, Who is sending things by the hand of a fool.

As one who is binding a stone in a sling, So is he who is giving honour to a fool.

A thorn hath gone up into the hand of a drunkard, And a parable in the mouth of fools.

When his voice is gracious trust not in him, For seven abominations are in his heart.

So hath a man deceived his neighbour, And hath said, 'Am not I playing?'

Weak have been the two legs of the lame, And a parable in the mouth of fools.

Hatred is covered by deceit, Revealed is its wickedness in an assembly.