7. Weak have been the two legs of the lame, And a parable in the mouth of fools.
8. As one who is binding a stone in a sling, So [is] he who is giving honour to a fool.
9. A thorn hath gone up into the hand of a drunkard, And a parable in the mouth of fools.
10. Great [is] the Former of all, And He is rewarding a fool, And is rewarding transgressors.
11. As a dog hath returned to its vomit, A fool is repeating his folly.
12. Thou hast seen a man wise in his own eyes, More hope of a fool than of him!
13. The slothful hath said, `A lion [is] in the way, A lion [is] in the broad places.'
14. The door turneth round on its hinge, And the slothful on his bed.
15. The slothful hath hid his hand in a dish, He is weary of bringing it back to his mouth.
16. Wiser [is] the slothful in his own eyes, Than seven [men] returning a reason.
17. Laying hold on the ears of a dog, [Is] a passer-by making himself wrath for strife not his own.
18. As [one] pretending to be feeble, Who is casting sparks, arrows, and death,
19. So hath a man deceived his neighbour, And hath said, `Am not I playing?'
20. Without wood is fire going out, And without a tale-bearer, contention ceaseth,
21. Coal to burning coals, and wood to fire, And a man of contentions to kindle strife.