Similitudes and Instructions

1As snow in summer and as rain in harvest, so honor not becoming to the foolish one.

2As the sparrow for wandering, as the swallow for flying, so the curse shall not come in vain.

3A whip for the horse, the curb for the ass, and the rod for the back of the foolish.

4Thou shalt not answer the foolish according to his folly lest thou shalt be like to him.

5Answer the foolish according to his folly lest he shall be wise in his own eyes.

6He drank violence, cutting off the feet, sending words by the hand of the foolish one.

7The legs of the lame were weak, and a parable in the mouth of the foolish.

8As a bundle of stones in a heap of stones, so he giving honor to the foolish one.

9A thorn going up into the hand of a drunkard, a parable in the mouth of the foolish.

10The great one piercing all, and he hired the foolish one, and those passing by.

11As a dog turned back upon his vomit, the foolish one repeated in his folly.

12Sawest thou a man wise in his eyes? hope is for the foolish one more than for him.

13The slothful one said, A lion in the way; a lion between the broad places.

14A door will turn upon its hinge, and the slothful upon his bed.

15The slothful one hid his hand in the dish; he was weary to turn it back to his mouth.

16The slothful one is wise in his eyes more than seven turning back a reason.

17Laying hold upon the ears of a dog, he passing by overflowing upon strife not to him.

18As a madman casting fiery darts, arrows and death,

19So the man deceiving his neighbor and saying, Am I not sporting?

20In the ceasing of wood, fire will go out: and in not being a tale-bearer, strife will subside.

21As charcoal to burning coals and woods to fire, and a man of strifes to kindle strife.

22The words of a tale-bearer as dainty morsels, and they will go down to the chambers of the belly.

23Silver dross covering over a pot-sherd, burning lips and an evil heart.

24He hating will be known by his lips, and he will set deceit in his midst;

25When his voice will compassionate, thou shalt not believe him, for seven abominations in his heart.

26Hatred will be covered by deceit, his evil will be revealed in the convocation.

27He digging a pit shall fall into it: and he rolling a stone it shall turn back upon him.

28A tongue of falsehood will hate its crushing, and a smooth mouth will make an overthrow.