Similitudes and Instructions 1 RV As snow in summer, and as rain in harvest, so honour is not seemly for a fool. BSB BSB: Like snow in summer and rain at harvest, honor does not befit a fool.
2 RV As the sparrow in her wandering, as the swallow in her flying, so the curse that is causeless lighteth not. BSB BSB: Like a fluttering sparrow or darting swallow, an undeserved curse does not come to rest.
3 RV A whip for the horse, a bridle for the 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 RV Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own conceit. BSB BSB: Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he become wise in his own eyes.
6 RV He that sendeth a message by the hand of a fool cutteth off his own feet, and drinketh in damage. 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 RV The legs of the lame hang loose: so is a parable in the mouth of fools. BSB BSB: Like lame legs hanging limp is a proverb in the mouth of a fool.
8 RV As a bag of gems in a heap of stones, 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 RV As a thorn that goeth up into the hand of a drunkard, so is a parable in the month 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 RV As an archer that woundeth all, so is he that hireth the fool and he that hireth them that pass by.BSB BSB: Like an archer who wounds at random is he who hires a fool or passerby.
11 RV As a dog that returneth to his vomit, so is a fool that repeateth his folly. BSB BSB: As a dog returns to its vomit, so a fool repeats his folly.
12 RV Seest thou a man wise in his own conceit? there is 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 RV The sluggard saith, There is a lion in the way; a lion is in the streets. BSB BSB: The slacker says, “A lion is in the road! A fierce lion roams the public square!”
14 RV As the door turneth upon its hinges, so doth the sluggard upon his bed.BSB BSB: As a door turns on its hinges, so the slacker turns on his bed.
15 RV The sluggard burieth his hand in the dish; it wearieth him to bring it again to his mouth. BSB BSB: The slacker buries his hand in the dish; it wearies him to bring it back to his mouth.
16 RV The sluggard is wiser in his own conceit than seven men that can render a reason. BSB BSB: The slacker is wiser in his own eyes than seven men who answer discreetly.
17 RV He that passeth by, and vexeth himself with strife belonging not to him, is like one that taketh a dog by the ears. BSB BSB: Like one who grabs a dog by the ears is a passerby who meddles in a quarrel not his own.
18 RV As a madman who casteth firebrands, arrows, and death; BSB BSB: Like a madman shooting firebrands and deadly arrows,
19 RV So is the man that deceiveth his neighbour, and saith, Am not I in sport? BSB BSB: so is the man who deceives his neighbor and says, “I was only joking!”
20 RV For lack of wood the fire goeth out: and where there is no whisperer, contention ceaseth. BSB BSB: Without wood, a fire goes out; without gossip, a conflict ceases.
21 RV As coals are to hot embers, and wood to fire; so is a contentious man to inflame strife.BSB BSB: Like charcoal for embers and wood for fire, so is a quarrelsome man for kindling strife.
22 RV The words of a whisperer are as dainty morsels, and they go down into 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 RV Fervent lips and a wicked heart are like an earthen vessel overlaid with silver dross. BSB BSB: Like glaze covering an earthen vessel are burning lips and a wicked heart.
24 RV He that hateth dissembleth with his lips, but he layeth up deceit within him: BSB BSB: A hateful man disguises himself with his speech, but he lays up deceit in his heart.
25 RV When he speaketh fair, believe him not; for there are seven abominations in his heart: BSB BSB: When he speaks graciously, do not believe him, for seven abominations fill his heart.
26 RV Though his hatred cover itself with guile, his wickedness shall be openly shewed before the congregation. BSB BSB: Though his hatred is concealed by deception, his wickedness will be exposed in the assembly.
27 RV Whoso diggeth a pit shall fall therein: and he that rolleth a stone, it shall return upon 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 RV A lying tongue hateth those whom it hath wounded; and a flattering 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.