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¹ Lyke as snowe is [not meete] in sommer and rayne in haruest: euen so is worship vnseemely for a foole.

² As the byrde and the swalowe take their flight and flee here and there: so the curse that is geuen in vayne, shall not light vpon a man.

³ Unto the horse belongeth a whip, to the asse a brydle: and a rod to the fooles backe.

⁴ Geue not the foole an aunswere after his foolishnes, lest thou become like vnto him.⁵ But make the foole an aunswere to his foolishnesse, lest he be wyse in his owne conceipt.

⁶ [As he that] cutteth of [his messengers] feete endamageth himselfe: so doth he that committeth a message to a foole.⁷ Like as in a lame man his legges are not equall: euen so is a parable in a fooles mouth.⁸ He that setteth a foole in hye dignitie, that is euen as if a man would bynde a stone in a sling.⁹ As is a thorne in the hande of a drunkarde: so is a parable in a fooles mouth.

¹⁰ The mightie that fourmed al thinges, rewardeth the fooles & transgressours.

¹¹ Like as the dogge turneth agayne to his owne vomite: euen so a foole beginneth his foolishnes agayne afreshe.

¹² If thou seest a man that is wise in his owne conceipt: there is more hope in a foole, then in hym.

¹³ The slouthfull saith, there is a lion in the way, and a lion in the middest of the streates.

¹⁴ Like as the doore turneth about vpon the hynges: euen so doth the slouthfull walter him selfe in his bed.

¹⁵ The slouthfull body thrusteth his hande into his bosome, and it greeueth hym to put it agayne to his mouth.

¹⁶ The sluggarde thinketh him selfe wiser then seuen men that sit and teache.

¹⁷ Who so goeth by and medleth with other mens strife: he is like one that taketh a dogge by the eares.

¹⁸ As he that fayneth him selfe mad, casteth firebrandes, deadly arrowes and dartes:¹⁹ So doth a dissembler with his neighbour, and saith, am not I in sport?

²⁰ Where no wood is, there the fire goeth out: euen so where the talebearer is taken away, there the strife ceasseth.²¹ As coles kindle heate, and wood the fire: euen so doth a brawling felowe stirre vp variaunce.²² A talebearers wordes are lyke men that strike with hammers, and they pearse the inwarde partes of the body.

²³ Burning lippes and a wicked heart, are like a potsharde couered with siluer drosse.

²⁴ An enemie wyll dissemble with his lippes, and layeth vp deceipt in his heart.²⁵ But when he speaketh fayre, beleue hym not: for there are seuen abhominations in his heart.²⁶ Hatred maye be couered by deceipt: but the malice therof shalbe shewed before the whole congregation.

²⁷ Who so diggeth vp a pit, shal fall therin: and he that rolleth vp a stone, it wyl returne vpon hym.

²⁸ A lying tongue hateth the afflicted: and a flattering mouth worketh mischiefe.