Proverbs

1As snow in summer, and rain in harvest, so glory is not seemly for a fool.

2As a bird flying to other places, and a sparrow going here or there: so a curse uttered without cause shall come upon a man.

3A whip for a horse, and a snaffle for an ass, and a rod for the back of fools.

4Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest thou be made like him.

5Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he imagine himself to be wise.

6He that sendeth words by a foolish messenger, is lame of feet and drinketh iniquity.

7As a lame man hath fair legs in vain: so a parable is unseemly in the mouth of fools.

8As he that casteth a stone into the heap of Mercury: so is he that giveth honour to a fool.

9As if a thorn should grow in the hand of a drunkard: so is a parable in the mouth of fools.

10Judgment determineth causes: and he that putteth a fool to silence, appeaseth anger.

11As a dog that returneth to his vomit, so is the fool that repeateth his folly.

12Hast thou seen a man wise in his own conceit? there shall be more hope of a fool than of him.

13The slothful man saith: There is a lion in the way, and a lioness in the roads.

14As the door turneth upon its hinges, so doth the slothful upon his bed.

15The slothful hideth his hand under his armpit, and it grieveth him to turn it to his mouth.

16The sluggard is wiser in his own conceit, than seven men that speak sentences.

17As he that taketh a dog by the ears, so is he that passeth by in anger, and meddleth with another man’s quarrel.

18As he is guilty that shooteth arrows, and lances unto death:

19So is the man that hurteth his friend deceitfully: and when he is taken, saith: I did it in jest.

20When the wood faileth, the fire shall go out: and when the talebearer is taken away, contentions shall cease.

21As coals are to burning coals, and wood to fire, so an angry man stirreth up strife.

22The words of a talebearer are as it were simple, but they reach to the innermost parts of the belly.

23Swelling lips joined with a corrupt heart, are like an earthen vessel adorned with silver dross.

24An enemy is known by his lips, when in his heart he entertaineth deceit.

25When he shall speak low, trust him not: because there are seven mischiefs in his heart.

26He that covereth hatred deceitfully, his malice shall be laid open in the public assembly.

27He that diggeth a pit, shall fall into it: and he that rolleth a stone, it shall return to him.

28A deceitful tongue loveth not truth: and a slippery mouth worketh ruin.

1quyền cao chức trọng đâu hợp với kẻ ngu si.

2lời nguyền rủa vô cớ cũng chẳng đi tới đâu.

3đòn vọt dành cho lưng đứa ngu xuẩn.

4kẻo chính con cũng lại giống nó thôi.

5kẻo nó cứ tưởng là nó khôn.

6và gánh lấy biết bao tai hoạ.

7thì cũng như anh què đi khập khiễng.

8chẳng khác chi cột sỏi vào ná bắn.

9chẳng khác gì kẻ say vung cành gai mà múa.

10gây thương tích cho mọi người qua lại.

11đứa ngu lặp lại chuyện ngu đần.

12thì thà hy vọng vào đứa ngu còn hơn.

13nơi quảng trường có chúa sơn lâm.”

14đứa lười lăn trên giường.

15nhưng chẳng buồn đưa thức ăn lên miệng.

16mình khôn hơn bảy người có tài đối đáp.

17khác nào kéo tai chó chạy rông.

18phóng lửa, bắn tên gây chết chóc.

19Kẻ lừa đảo bạn bè, rồi bảo : “Đùa đấy thôi !”

20hết kẻ mách lẻo thì cũng bớt đôi co.

21kẻ hay gây gổ khiến cãi cọ bùng lên.

22trôi xuống tận ruột gan.

23chẳng khác nào bạc cặn dát trên đồ gốm.

24nhưng thâm tâm vẫn đặt chuyện lọc lừa.

25vì lòng nó chứa đầy chuyện ghê tởm.

26nhưng ác tâm của nó bị đại hội vạch trần.

27người lăn đá lại bị đá đè.

28miệng ngọt xớt gây đổ vỡ nát tan.