1 As snow in summer, and as rain in harvest, so honor is not seemly for a fool.
2 As the bird by wandering, as the swallow by flying, so the curse causeless shall not come.
3 A whip for the horse, a bridle for the donkey, and a rod for the fool's back.

[The next two versed explain a great paradox: If you respond to a fools remark, you look like a fool, but if you don't, the fool is even more convinced that he or she is a genius. I would add that a fools friends, who also tend to be fools, are also convinced of the foolish argument.]
4 Do not answer a fool when he is speaking foolishly, lest you also be like him.
5 Answer a fool when he is speaking foolishly, lest he be wise in his own conceit.
6 He who sends a message by the hand of a fool cuts off the feet, and drinks damage.
7 The legs of the lame are not equal: so is a parable in the mouth of fools.
8 As he who binds a stone in a sling, so is he who gives honor to a fool.
9 As a thorn goes up into the hand of a drunkard, so is a parable in the mouth of fools.
10 The great God that formed all things both rewards the fool, and rewards transgressors.
11 As a dog returns to his vomit, so a fool returns to his folly.
12 Do you see a man wise in his own conceit? There is more hope for a fool than of him.
13 The slothful man says, There is a lion in the way; a lion is in the streets.
14 As the door turns upon his hinges, so does the slothful upon his bed.
15 The slothful hides his hand in his bosom; it grieves him to bring it again to his mouth.
16 The sluggard is wiser in his own conceit than seven men that can render a reason.
17 He who passes by, and exposes strife belonging not to him, is like one who takes a dog by the ears.
18 As a mad man who casts firebrands, arrows, and death,
19 So is the man that deceives his neighbor, and says, Am not I in sport?
20 Where no wood is, there the fire goes out: so where there is no talebearer, the strife ceases.
21 As coals are to burning coals, and wood to fire; so is a contentious man to kindle strife.
22 The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.
23 Burning lips and a wicked mind are like a potsherd covered with silver dross.
24 He who hates acknowledges with his lips, and lays up deceit within him;
25 When he speaks in a favorable way, don't believe him, for there are seven disgusting things in his mind.
26 Whose hatred is covered by deceit, his wickedness shall be showed before the whole congregation.
27 Whoever digs a pit shall fall therein: and he who rolls a stone, it will return upon him.
28 A lying tongue hates those who are afflicted by it; and a flattering mouth works ruin.