2 Like the sparrow in her wandering, like the swallow in her flying,So the curse without cause does not come and alight [on the undeserving].(B)
2 Like a (C)sparrow in its (a)flitting, like a swallow in its flying,So a (D)curse without cause does not (b)alight.
2 As the bird by wandering, as the swallow by flying, so the curse causeless shall not come.
2 Like a fluttering sparrow or a swallow in flight, a curse without cause will not alight.
4 Do not answer [nor pretend to agree with the frivolous comments of] a [closed-minded] fool according to his folly,Otherwise you, even you, will be like him.
4 Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest thou also be like unto him.
4 Don't answer a fool according to his foolishness, or you will be just like him.
5 Answer [and correct the erroneous concepts of] a fool according to his folly,Otherwise he will be wise in his own eyes [if he thinks you agree with him].(C)
5 Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own conceit.
5 Answer a fool according to his foolishness, or he will think himself to be wise.
6 He who sends a message by the hand of a foolCuts off his own feet (sabotages himself) and drinks the violence [it brings on himself as a consequence].(D)
6 He cuts off his own feet and drinks violenceWho sends a message by the hand of a fool.
6 He that sendeth a message by the hand of a fool cutteth off the feet, and drinketh damage.
6 Whoever sends a message by the hand of a fool cuts off his own feet and drinks violence.
7 Like the legs which are useless to the lame,So is a proverb in the mouth of a fool [who cannot learn from its wisdom].
7 The legs of the lame are not equal: so is a parable in the mouth of fools.
7 A proverb in the mouth of a foolis like lame legs that hang limp.
7 Useless legs to the lame that's what a proverb quoted by a fool is.
9 Like a thorn that goes [without being felt] into the hand of a drunken man,So is a proverb in the mouth of a fool [who remains unaffected by its wisdom].
9 As a thorn goeth up into the hand of a drunkard, so is a parable in the mouth of fools.
9 A proverb in the mouth of a foolis like a stick with thorns,brandished by(b) the hand of a drunkard.
9 A thorn in the hand of a drunkard that's what a proverb quoted by a fool is.
10 Like a [careless] archer who [shoots arrows wildly and] wounds everyone,So is he who hires a fool or those who [by chance just] pass by.
10 The great God that formed all things both rewardeth the fool, and rewardeth transgressors.
10 The one who hires a fool or who hires those passing byis like an archer who wounds everyone.
10 An archer who shoots at anyone is like someone who hires a fool or anyone who passes by.
12 Do you see a man [who is unteachable and] wise in his own eyes and full of self-conceit?There is more hope for a fool than for him.(E)
12 Seest thou a man wise in his own conceit? there is more hope of a fool than of him.
12 Do you see a man who is wise in his own opinion? There's more hope for a fool than for him.
13 The lazy person [who is self-indulgent and relies on lame excuses] says, “There is a lion in the road!A lion is in the open square [and if I go outside to work I will be killed]!”(F)
13 The slothful man saith, There is a lion in the way; a lion is in the streets.
13 The lazy person claims, "There is a lion in the road! There's a lion in the streets!"
15 The lazy person buries his hand in the dish [losing opportunity after opportunity];It wearies him to bring it back to his mouth.(G)
15 The slothful hideth his hand in his bosom; it grieveth him to bring it again to his mouth.
15 The lazy person buries his hand in the dish, but he's too tired to bring it to his mouth again.
17 Like one who grabs a dog by the ears [and is likely to be bitten]Is he who, passing by, stops to meddle with a dispute that is none of his business.
17 Like one who takes a dog by the earsIs he who passes by and (j)meddles with (R)strife not belonging to him.
17 He that passeth by, and meddleth with strife belonging not to him, is like one that taketh a dog by the ears.
17 A person who is passing by and meddles in a quarrel that’s not hisis like one who grabs a dog by the ears.
17 Picking up a dog by the ears that's what someone is like who meddles in another's fight.
19 So is the man who deceives his neighbor (acquaintance, friend)And then says, “Was I not joking?”(H)
19 So is the man that deceiveth his neighbour, and saith, Am not I in sport?
19 so is the man who deceives his neighborand says, “I was only joking!”
19 that's what someone is like who lies to his neighbor and then says, "I was joking, wasn't I?"
20 For lack of wood the fire goes out,And where there is no whisperer [who gossips], contention quiets down.
20 For lack of wood the fire goes out,And where there is no (V)whisperer, (W)contention quiets down.
20 Where no wood is, there the fire goeth out: so where there is no talebearer, the strife ceaseth.
20 Without wood, the fire goes out. Without a gossip, contention stops.
22 The words of a whisperer (gossip) are like dainty morsels [to be greedily eaten];They go down into the innermost chambers of the body [to be remembered and mused upon].(J)
22 The (Y)words of a whisperer are like dainty morsels,And they go down into the (k)innermost parts of the body.
22 The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.
22 The words of a gossip are like delicate morsels; they sink down deep within.
23 Like a [common] clay vessel covered with the silver dross [making it appear silver when it has no real value]Are burning lips [murmuring manipulative words] and a wicked heart.
23 Burning lips and a wicked heart are like a potsherd covered with silver dross.
23 A clay vessel plated with a thin veneer of silver that's what smooth lips with a wicked heart are.
24 He who hates, disguises it with his lips,But he stores up deceit in his heart.
24 He that hateth dissembleth with his lips, and layeth up deceit within him;
24 A hateful person disguises himself with his speechand harbors deceit within.
24 Someone who hates hides behind his words, harboring deceit within himself.
25 When he speaks graciously and kindly [to conceal his malice], do not trust him,For seven abominations are in his heart.
25 When (m)he (AD)speaks graciously, do not believe him,For there are seven abominations in his heart.
25 When he speaketh fair, believe him not: for there are seven abominations in his heart.
25 Though he speaks graciously, don't believe him, for there are seven detestable things in his heart.
26 Though his hatred covers itself with guile and deceit,His malevolence will be revealed openly before the assembly.
26 Though his hatred (AE)covers itself with guile,His wickedness will be (AF)revealed before the assembly.
26 Whose hatred is covered by deceit, his wickedness shall be shewed before the whole congregation.
26 Though his hatred is concealed by deception,his evil will be revealed in the assembly.
26 Though malice disguises itself with deception, its evil will be exposed publicly.
27 Whoever digs a pit [for another man’s feet] will fall into it,And he who rolls a stone [up a hill to do mischief], it will come back on him.(K)
27 Whoso diggeth a pit shall fall therein: and he that rolleth a stone, it will return upon him.
27 Whoever digs a pit will fall into it, and the stone will come back on whoever starts it rolling.
28 A lying tongue hates those it wounds and crushes,And a flattering mouth works ruin.
28 A lying tongue hateth those that are afflicted by it; and a flattering mouth worketh ruin.
28 A lying tongue hates those it crushes,and a flattering mouth causes ruin. >
28 A lying tongue hates its victims, and a flattering mouth causes ruin.
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