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 1one who gives honor to a fool.
9
Like 2a thorn that goes up into the hand of a drunkard is a proverb in the mouth of fools.
10
Like an archer who wounds everyone is one who hires a passing fool or drunkard.
11
Like 3a dog that returns to his vomit is 4a fool who repeats his folly.
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Do you see a man who is 5wise in his own eyes? 6There is more hope for a fool than for him.
13
7The 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
8The sluggard buries his hand in the dish; it wears him out to bring it back to his mouth.
16
The sluggard is 9wiser in his own eyes 10than 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.
18
Like a madman who throws 11firebrands, 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 12whisperer, 13quarreling ceases.
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As charcoal to hot embers and wood to fire, so is 14a quarrelsome man for kindling strife.
22
15The words of 16a whisperer are like delicious morsels; they go down into the inner parts of the body.
23
17Like the 18glaze 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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19when he speaks graciously, believe him not, for there are 20seven 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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21Whoever digs a pit will fall into it, and a stone will come back on him who starts it rolling.