King James Version, with Nii Okai's journal notes · 8 notes
1As snow in summer, and as rain in harvest, so honour is not seemly for a fool.
2As the bird by wandering, as the swallow by flying, so the curse causeless shall not come.
3A whip for the horse, a bridle for the ass, and a rod for the fool’s back.
4Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest thou also be like unto him.
5Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own conceit.
So the kind of answer you give to a fool is what will determine if you will be like him and be thought a fool also, or if you show his folly for all to see.
6He that sendeth a message by the hand of a fool cutteth off the feet, and drinketh damage.
7The legs of the lame are not equal: so is a parable in the mouth of fools.
The fool and his parable are also not equal.
8As he that bindeth a stone in a sling, so is he that giveth honour to a fool.
That honour shall be flung out quicker than a stone out of a sling.
9As a thorn goeth up into the hand of a drunkard, so is a parable in the mouth of fools.
10The great God that formed all things both rewardeth the fool, and rewardeth transgressors.
11As a dog returneth to his vomit, so a fool returneth to his folly.
12Seest thou a man wise in his own conceit? there is more hope of a fool than of him.
There is little hope for a fool, but to be self-conceited leaves you with literally no hope.
13The slothful man saith, There is a lion in the way; a lion is in the streets.
14As the door turneth upon his hinges, so doth the slothful upon his bed.
15The slothful hideth his hand in his bosom; it grieveth him to bring it again to his mouth.
16The sluggard is wiser in his own conceit than seven men that can render a reason.
17He that passeth by, and meddleth with strife belonging not to him, is like one that taketh a dog by the ears.
18As a mad man who casteth firebrands, arrows, and death,
19So is the man that deceiveth his neighbour, and saith, Am not I in sport?
Be wary of people who joke with everything, even serious stuff.
20Where no wood is, there the fire goeth out: so where there is no talebearer, the strife ceaseth.
21As coals are to burning coals, and wood to fire; so is a contentious man to kindle strife.
22The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.
Another group of people to be wary of: tale bearers.
They are so good with their craft that they know how to say what they want to say to produce the most painful results.
They separate friends and families. Avoid them.
23Burning lips and a wicked heart are like a potsherd covered with silver dross.
24He that hateth dissembleth with his lips, and layeth up deceit within him;
Never trust the words of someone who is bitter and hurt or hateful; if he speaks fairly, be careful, for deceit may well be in his heart.
25When he speaketh fair, believe him not: for there are seven abominations in his heart.
26Whose hatred is covered by deceit, his wickedness shall be shewed before the whole congregation.
27Whoso diggeth a pit shall fall therein: and he that rolleth a stone, it will return upon him.
If you seek to hurt and entrap others, you yourself will be hurt and entrapped.
28A lying tongue hateth those that are afflicted by it; and a flattering mouth worketh ruin.