Similitudes, Instructions

1
Like snow in summer and like rain in harvest,
So honor is not fitting for a fool. 2
Like a sparrow in {its} flitting, like a swallow in {its} flying,
So a curse without cause does not alight. 3
A whip is for the horse, a bridle for the donkey,
And a rod for the back of fools. 4
Do not answer a fool according to his folly,
Or you will also be like him. 5
Answer a fool as his folly {deserves,}
That he not be wise in his own eyes. 6
He cuts off {his own} feet {and} drinks violence
Who sends a message by the hand of a fool. 7
{Like} the legs {which} are useless to the lame,
So is a proverb in the mouth of fools. 8
Like one who binds a stone in a sling,
So is he who gives honor to a fool. 9
{Like} a thorn {which} falls into the hand of a drunkard,
So is a proverb in the mouth of fools. 10
{Like} an archer who wounds everyone,
So is he who hires a fool or who hires those who pass by. 11
Like a dog that returns to its vomit
Is a fool who repeats his folly. 12
Do you see a man wise in his own eyes?
There is more hope for a fool than for him. 13
The sluggard says, “There is a lion in the road!
A lion is in the open square! 14
{As} the door turns on its hinges,
So {does} the sluggard on his bed. 15
The sluggard buries his hand in the dish;
He is weary of bringing it to his mouth again. 16
The sluggard is wiser in his own eyes
Than seven men who can give a discreet answer. 17
{Like} one who takes a dog by the ears
Is he who passes by {and} meddles with strife not belonging to him. 18
Like a madman who throws
Firebrands, arrows and death, 19
So is the man who deceives his neighbor,
And says, “Was I not joking? 20
For lack of wood the fire goes out,
And where there is no whisperer, contention quiets down. 21
{Like} charcoal to hot embers and wood to fire,
So is a contentious man to kindle strife. 22
The words of a whisperer are like dainty morsels,
And they go down into the innermost parts of the body. 23
{Like} an earthen vessel overlaid with silver dross
Are burning lips and a wicked heart. 24
He who hates disguises {it} with his lips,
But he lays up deceit in his heart. 25
When he speaks graciously, do not believe him,
For there are seven abominations in his heart. 26
{Though his} hatred covers itself with guile,
His wickedness will be revealed before the assembly. 27
He who digs a pit will fall into it,
And he who rolls a stone, it will come back on him. 28
A lying tongue hates those it crushes,
And a flattering mouth works ruin.