3 A whip 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

lest you become like him—even you.

5 Answer a fool according to his folly,

or else he will be wise in his own eyes.

6 Like cutting off feet or drinking violence,

so is he who sends messages in the hand of a fool.

7 Like legs that hang limp from a lame person,

so is a proverb in the mouth of fools.

8 Like binding a stone in a sling,

so is giving honor to a fool.

9 Like a thorn that goes up in 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 he who hires passersby.

11 Like a dog returning to his vomit

is a fool reverting to his folly.

12 Do you see a man wise in his own eyes?

There is more hope for a fool than for him.