6
Whoever sends a message by the hand of a fool cuts off his own feet and 1drinks violence.
7
Like a lame man's legs, which hang useless, is a proverb in the mouth of fools.
8
Like one who binds the stone in the sling is 2one who gives honor to a fool.
9
Like 3a thorn that goes up into the hand of a drunkard is a proverb in the mouth of fools.
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Like an archer who wounds everyone is one who hires a passing fool or drunkard.
11
Like 4a dog that returns to his vomit is 5a fool who repeats his folly.
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Do you see a man who is 6wise in his own eyes? 7There is more hope for a fool than for him.
13
8The sluggard says, "There is a lion in the road! There is a lion in the streets!"
14
As a door turns on its hinges, so does a sluggard on his bed.
15
9The sluggard buries his hand in the dish; it wears him out to bring it back to his mouth.
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The sluggard is 10wiser in his own eyes 11than seven men who can answer sensibly.
17
Whoever meddles in a quarrel not his own is like one who takes a passing dog by the ears.
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Like a madman who throws 12firebrands, arrows, and death
19
is the man who deceives his neighbor and says, "I am only joking!"
20
For lack of wood the fire goes out, and where there is no 13whisperer, 14quarreling ceases.
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As charcoal to hot embers and wood to fire, so is 15a quarrelsome man for kindling strife.
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16The words of 17a whisperer are like delicious morsels; they go down into the inner parts of the body.
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18Like the 19glaze covering an earthen vessel are fervent lips with an evil heart.
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Whoever hates disguises himself with his lips and harbors deceit in his heart;
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20when he speaks graciously, believe him not, for there are 21seven abominations in his heart;
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though his hatred be covered with deception, his wickedness will be exposed in the assembly.
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22Whoever digs a pit will fall into it, and a stone will come back on him who starts it rolling.
28
A lying tongue hates its victims, and a flattering mouth works ruin.