1 Kā sniegs vasarai, kā lietus pļaujas laikam,
tāpat nepiedien muļķim gods!
2 Kā zvirbulis aizspurdz, kā bezdelīga aizlaižas,
tā aplams lāsts aizšaujas garām.
3 Pātaga – zirgam, iemaukti – ēzelim
un rīkste – muļķu mugurām!
4 Neatbildi muļķim pēc viņa muļķības,
ka tu netopi kā viņš!
5 Atbildi muļķim pēc viņa muļķības,
ka viņš nenotur sevi gudru!
6 Tas cērt sev kājā, tas dzer savu postu,
kas muļķim uztic nest ziņu!
7 Kleinas klibiķim kājas –
tāds ir sakāmvārds muļķa mutē!
8 Kā lingu aizlingots –
muļķim rādītais gods!
9 Dzelkšņains zars žūpas rokā –
sakāmvārds muļķa mutē!
10 Tas Dižais, kas visu rada, –
pat muļķi viņš liek pie darba
un blandoņas nostrādina!
11 Kā suns atgriežas pie saviem vēmekļiem,
tā muļķis atkārto savu muļķību.
12 Paskat, vīrs, kas gudrs paša acīs –
no muļķa var vairāk cerēt nekā no šā!
13 Sliņķis saka: uz ceļa ir lauva,
lauvu māte staigā ielās!
14 Durvis grozās savās virās
un sliņķis – savā gultā.
15 Mērc sliņķis bļodā roku –
par grūtu šim celt to pie mutes.
16 Sliņķis paša acīs gudrāks
par septiņiem, kas prot trāpīgi atbildēt!
17 Vai rausi aiz ausīm svešu suni?
Vai skriesi iekarsis, kur sveši plēšas?
18 Kā dulns, kas sēj uguni, bultas un nāvi,
19 tā tāds, kas piemuļķo otru un saka: tik pajokoju! –
20 Kad malkas trūkst, apdziest uguns,
kad prom kūdītājs, aprimst ķilda.
21 Ogles speltei un malka ugunij,
un kašķa meklētājs, lai nenoslāpst ķilda!
22 Tenkotāja vārdi kā gardi kumosi –
gludi ieslīd pašos sirds dziļumos!
23 Kā sudraba vāpe uz māla poda –
tā kvēlas lūpas un ļauna sirds!
24 Lūpām liekuļo naidnieks,
krūtīs tas lolo viltu,
25 kaut tas saldina savu balsi,
netici tam, septiņas nelietības tam sirdī!
26 Lai cik viltīgi viņš slēptu naidu,
gan viņa ļaunums nāks tautas priekšā!
27 Kas bedri rok, pats tur iekrīt,
kas akmeni veļ, tam tas uzveļas.
28 Melu mēle nīst to, kuram dzeļ,
un glāsmīga mute liek paklupt.
1 As snow in summer, and as rain in harvest, so honour 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 ass, and a rod for the fool’s back.
4 Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest thou also be like unto him. 5 Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own conceit.
6 He that sendeth a message by the hand of a fool cutteth off the feet, and drinketh damage. 7 The legs of the lame are not equal: so is a parable in the mouth of fools. 8 As he that bindeth a stone in a sling, so is he that giveth honour to a fool. 9 As a thorn goeth 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 rewardeth the fool, and rewardeth transgressors. 11 As a dog returneth to his vomit, so a fool returneth to his folly. 12 Seest thou a man wise in his own conceit? there is more hope of a fool than of him. 13 The slothful man saith, There is a lion in the way; a lion is in the streets. 14 As the door turneth upon his hinges, so doth the slothful upon his bed. 15 The slothful hideth his hand in his bosom; it grieveth 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 that passeth by, and meddleth with strife belonging not to him, is like one that taketh a dog by the ears.
18 As a mad man who casteth firebrands, arrows, and death, 19 So is the man that deceiveth his neighbour, and saith, Am not I in sport?
20 Where no wood is, there the fire goeth out: so where there is no talebearer, the strife ceaseth. 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 heart are like a potsherd covered with silver dross.
24 He that hateth dissembleth with his lips, and layeth up deceit within him; 25 When he speaketh fair, believe him not: for there are seven abominations in his heart. 26 Whose hatred is covered by deceit, his wickedness shall be shewed before the whole congregation. 27 Whoso diggeth a pit shall fall therein: and he that rolleth a stone, it will return upon him. 28 A lying tongue hateth those that are afflicted by it; and a flattering mouth worketh ruin.
