Proverbs

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

2As the bird by wandering, as the swallow by flying, so the curse causeless shall not come.

3A whip for the horse, a bridle for the ass, and a rod for the fool’s back.

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

5Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own conceit.

6He that sendeth a message by the hand of a fool cutteth off the feet, and drinketh damage.

7The legs of the lame are not equal: so is a parable in the mouth of fools.

8As he that bindeth a stone in a sling, so is he that giveth honour to a fool.

9As a thorn goeth up into the hand of a drunkard, so is a parable in the mouth of fools.

10The great God that formed all things both rewardeth the fool, and rewardeth transgressors.

11As a dog returneth to his vomit, so a fool returneth to his folly.

12Seest thou a man wise in his own conceit? there is more hope of a fool than of him.

13The slothful man saith, There is a lion in the way; a lion is in the streets.

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

15The slothful hideth his hand in his bosom; it grieveth him to bring it again to his mouth.

16The sluggard is wiser in his own conceit than seven men that can render a reason.

17He that passeth by, and meddleth with strife belonging not to him, is like one that taketh a dog by the ears.

18As a mad man who casteth firebrands, arrows, and death,

19So is the man that deceiveth his neighbour, and saith, Am not I in sport?

20Where no wood is, there the fire goeth out: so where there is no talebearer, the strife ceaseth.

21As coals are to burning coals, and wood to fire; so is a contentious man to kindle strife.

22The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.

23Burning lips and a wicked heart are like a potsherd covered with silver dross.

24He that hateth dissembleth with his lips, and layeth up deceit within him;

25When he speaketh fair, believe him not: for there are seven abominations in his heart.

26Whose hatred is covered by deceit, his wickedness shall be shewed before the whole congregation.

27Whoso diggeth a pit shall fall therein: and he that rolleth a stone, it will return upon him.

28A lying tongue hateth those that are afflicted by it; and a flattering 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.