Similitudes and Instructions 1 DRA As snow in summer, and rain in harvest, so glory is not seemly for a fool. BSB BSB: Like snow in summer and rain at harvest, honor does not befit a fool.
2 DRA As a bird flying to other places, and a sparrow going here or there: so a curse uttered without cause shall come upon a man. BSB BSB: Like a fluttering sparrow or darting swallow, an undeserved curse does not come to rest.
3 DRA A whip for a horse, and a snaffle for an ass, and a rod for the back of fools. BSB BSB: A whip for the horse, a bridle for the donkey, and a rod for the backs of fools!
5 DRA Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he imagine himself to be wise. BSB BSB: Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he become wise in his own eyes.
6 DRA He that sendeth words by a foolish messenger, is lame of feet and drinketh iniquity. BSB BSB: Like cutting off one’s own feet or drinking violence is the sending of a message by the hand of a fool.
7 DRA As a lame man hath fair legs in vain: so a parable is unseemly in the mouth of fools. BSB BSB: Like lame legs hanging limp is a proverb in the mouth of a fool.
8 DRA As he that casteth a stone into the heap of Mercury: so is he that giveth honour to a fool. BSB BSB: Like binding a stone into a sling is the giving of honor to a fool.
9 DRA As if a thorn should grow in the hand of a drunkard: so is a parable in the mouth of fools. BSB BSB: Like a thorn that goes into the hand of a drunkard is a proverb in the mouth of a fool.
10 DRA Judgment determineth causes: and he that putteth a fool to silence, appeaseth anger. BSB BSB: Like an archer who wounds at random is he who hires a fool or passerby.
11 DRA As a dog that returneth to his vomit, so is the fool that repeateth his folly. BSB BSB: As a dog returns to its vomit, so a fool repeats his folly.
12 DRA Hast thou seen a man wise in his own conceit? there shall be more hope of a fool than of him. BSB BSB: Do you see a man who is wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him.
13 DRA The slothful man saith: There is a lion in the way, and a lioness in the roads. BSB BSB: The slacker says, “A lion is in the road! A fierce lion roams the public square!”
14 DRA As the door turneth upon its hinges, so doth the slothful upon his bed. BSB BSB: As a door turns on its hinges, so the slacker turns on his bed.
15 DRA The slothful hideth his hand under his armpit, and it grieveth him to turn it to his mouth. BSB BSB: The slacker buries his hand in the dish; it wearies him to bring it back to his mouth.
16 DRA The sluggard is wiser in his own conceit, than seven men that speak sentences. BSB BSB: The slacker is wiser in his own eyes than seven men who answer discreetly.
17 DRA As he that taketh a dog by the ears, so is he that passeth by in anger, and meddleth with another man’s quarrel. BSB BSB: Like one who grabs a dog by the ears is a passerby who meddles in a quarrel not his own.
18 DRA As he is guilty that shooteth arrows, and lances unto death: BSB BSB: Like a madman shooting firebrands and deadly arrows,
19 DRA So is the man that hurteth his friend deceitfully: and when he is taken, saith: I did it in jest. BSB BSB: so is the man who deceives his neighbor and says, “I was only joking!”
20 DRA When the wood faileth, the fire shall go out: and when the talebearer is taken away, contentions shall cease. BSB BSB: Without wood, a fire goes out; without gossip, a conflict ceases.
21 DRA As coals are to burning coals, and wood to fire, so an angry man stirreth up strife. BSB BSB: Like charcoal for embers and wood for fire, so is a quarrelsome man for kindling strife.
22 DRA The words of a talebearer are as it were simple, but they reach to the innermost parts of the belly. BSB BSB: The words of a gossip are like choice morsels that go down into the inmost being.
23 DRA Swelling lips joined with a corrupt heart, are like an earthen vessel adorned with silver dross. BSB BSB: Like glaze covering an earthen vessel are burning lips and a wicked heart.
24 DRA An enemy is known by his lips, when in his heart he entertaineth deceit. BSB BSB: A hateful man disguises himself with his speech, but he lays up deceit in his heart.
25 DRA When he shall speak low, trust him not: because there are seven mischiefs in his heart. BSB BSB: When he speaks graciously, do not believe him, for seven abominations fill his heart.
26 DRA He that covereth hatred deceitfully, his malice shall be laid open in the public assembly. BSB BSB: Though his hatred is concealed by deception, his wickedness will be exposed in the assembly.
27 DRA He that diggeth a pit, shall fall into it: and he that rolleth a stone, it shall return to him. BSB BSB: He who digs a pit will fall into it, and he who rolls a stone will have it roll back on him.
28 DRA A deceitful tongue loveth not truth: and a slippery mouth worketh ruin. BSB BSB: A lying tongue hates those it crushes, and a flattering mouth causes ruin.
Select verses for actions: Enter goes to them and Escape comes back.