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

As snow in the summer, and as rain in harvest time, so is honor unbefitting the fool.

Like a wandering sparrow, like a flying swallow, so a curse that is causeless comes home to roost.

Like a wandering sparrow and a flying swallow [(which return to their nest], so a vain curse returns to him [(who utters it)].

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

A whip [is readied] for the horse, a bridle for the ass, and a rod for the back of fools.

Do not answer a fool according to his folly, lest thou become like him thyself.

Answer not a fool according to his folly [i.e., cantankerously], lest you, too, be likened to him.

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

Answer a fool according to his folly [i.e., if he entices you to idolatry], lest [(if you do not answer him)] he be wise in his eyes [(assuming that you have no answer)].

He that sends a message by the hand of a fool cuts off his own feet, and drinks in damage.

He wears out the feet [of many messengers (whom he must send to amend the mistakes of the first)] and he drinks rancor [(the wrath of the object of his embassy)] — one who sends things with a fool.

Like the legs of a lame man which hang useless, so is a parable in the mouth of fools.

"The thighs [(of other men)] are 'raised' to the lame" — [this is] a parable in the mouth of fools [(who use it as an excuse not to acquire wisdom, claiming it to be "higher" than they are.)]

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

Like binding a stone in a sling is giving honor to a fool [i.e., both are destined to be cast away].

Like a thorn that goes up into the hand of a drunkard, so is a parable in the mouth of fools.

Like a thorn in the hand of a drunkard [(which is destined to prick him)], so is [the following] parable in the mouth of fools:

A master craftsman performs everything; but he who hires a fool is as he who hires the passersby.

"The Master created all, and [for His work] He hires [also] the fool and He hires 'wayfarers'" [i.e., idlers — and He feeds them all. Why work then!]

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

As a dog returns [to eat] what he has vomited, a fool repeats his foolishness.

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

Have you seen a man who is wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for one who is a fool [in his own eyes] than for him.

The lazy man says, There is a lion in the way; a lion is in the streets.

The lazy one says: "There is a lion on the path, a lion between the streets."

As the doors turns on its hinges, so does the slothful upon his bed.

The door turns on its hinges, and the lazy one on his bed.

The sluggard buries his hand in the dish; it grieves him to bring it back to his mouth.

The lazy man hides his hand in the [hot] kettle [(to warm it)] — he is too weary to return it to his mouth!

The sluggard is wiser in his own eyes than seven men that can give sensible reasons.

The lazy one is wiser in his own eyes than seven wise answerers.

He who passes by, and meddles with a strife not his own, is like one who takes a dog by the ears.

As one who seizes a dog's ears is he who grows wrathful over a dispute that is not his [(i.e., he will be "bitten")].

As a madman who throws firebrands, arrows, and death,

As one who tires of throwing fire-brands [throws] arrows and death,

so is a man who tricks his neighbour, and says, But I was only joking!

(So) is one who deceives his neighbor [(enticing him from the paths of life to the paths of death)], and who says [(when the other becomes aware of the deception)], "I was only joking."

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

Without wood the fire goes out, and without the spouter [of slander] the strife is silenced.

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

As charcoal to [ignite] coal and wood to [fuel] a fire, so, the contentious man to stirring up strife.

The words of a talebearer are like dainties, and they go down into the innermost parts of the body.

The words of the spouter [of slander] are like blows and they enter one's innards [(causing dropsy)].

Burning lips and a wicked heart are like an earthenware dish covered with silver dross.

Like silver dross plating earthenware are lips running [(to entice men with all kinds of blandishments)] and a bad heart [beneath].

He who hates dissembles with his lips, and lays up deceit within him;

With his lips the foe will seem "estranged" [(from hatred)], but within him he will plot guile.

when he speaks fair, do not believe him: for there are seven abominations in his heart.

Though his voice be ingratiating, do not trust to it, for there are seven abominations in his heart.

He whose hatred is covered by deceit, his wickedness shall be revealed before the whole congregation.

Though [a deed] that is hateful [to the L-rd] be covered in darkness, his [(the perpetrator's)] evil will be revealed among the multitude.

The one who digs a pit shall fall into it: and if one rolls a stone, it will return upon him.

He who digs a pit will fall in it, and he who rolls a stone [against others] will have it turn back on him.

A lying tongue hates its victims; and a flattering mouth works ruin.

[One who accepts] false speech [i.e., slander] hates his subjects [(Saul accepted slander against David and killed out Nov [his subjects, who assisted David])]; and the smooth [-talking] mouth causes rejection [by the L-rd of the victims of its enticements].