Proverbs 26
1 As snow in summer, and as rain in harvest, so honor is not seemly for a fool.
As snow in summer, and as rain in harvest, so honour is not seemly for a fool.
2 As the sparrow in her wandering, as the swallow in her flying, so the curse that is causeless does not alight.
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 donkey, and a rod for the back of fools.
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 to him.
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.
Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own conceit.
6 He who sends a message by the hand of a fool cuts off the feet, and drinks injury.
He that sendeth a message by the hand of a fool cutteth off the feet, [and] drinketh damage.
7 The legs of a lame man hang loose. So is a proverb in the mouth of fools.
The legs of the lame are not equal: so [is] a parable in the mouth of fools.
8 As he who binds a stone in a sling, so is he who gives honor to a fool.
As he that bindeth a stone in a sling, so [is] he that giveth honour to a fool.
9 As a thorn that goes up into the hand of a drunkard, so is a proverb in the mouth of fools.
[As] a thorn goeth up into the hand of a drunkard, so [is] a parable in the mouth of fools.
10 As an archer who wounds all, so is he who hires a fool, and he who hires those who pass by.
The great [God] that formed all [things] both rewardeth the fool, and rewardeth transgressors.
11 As a dog who returns to his vomit, is a fool who repeats his folly.
As a dog returneth to his vomit, [so] a fool returneth to his folly.
12 See thou a man wise in his own conceit? There is more hope for a fool than of him.
Seest thou a man wise in his own conceit? [there is] more hope of a fool than of him.
13 The sluggard says, There is a lion in the way; a lion is in the streets.
The slothful [man] saith, [There is] a lion in the way; a lion [is] in the streets.
14 The door turns upon its hinges, so does the sluggard upon his bed.
[As] the door turneth upon his hinges, so [doth] the slothful upon his bed.
15 The sluggard buries his hand in the dish. It wearies him to bring it again to his mouth.
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 who can render a reason.
The sluggard [is] wiser in his own conceit than seven men that can render a reason.
17 He who passes by, and meddles with strife not his, is like he who takes a dog by the ears.
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 madman who casts firebrands, arrows, and death,
As a mad [man] who casteth firebrands, arrows, and death,
19 so is the man who deceives his neighbor, and says, Am I not in sport?
So [is] the man [that] deceiveth his neighbour, and saith, Am not I in sport?
20 For lack of wood the fire goes out, and where there is no whisperer, contention ceases.
Where no wood is, [there] the fire goeth out: so where [there is] no talebearer, the strife ceaseth.
21 As coals are to hot embers, and wood to fire, so is a contentious man to inflame strife.
[As] coals [are] to burning coals, and wood to fire; so [is] a contentious man to kindle strife.
22 The words of a whisperer are as dainty morsels, and they go down into the innermost parts.
The words of a talebearer [are] as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.
23 Fervent lips and a wicked heart are an earthen vessel overlaid with silver dross.
Burning lips and a wicked heart [are like] a potsherd covered with silver dross.
24 He who hates masquerades with his lips, but he lays up deceit within him.
He that hateth dissembleth with his lips, and layeth up deceit within him;
25 When he speaks graciously, believe him not, for there are seven abominations in his heart.
When he speaketh fair, believe him not: for [there are] seven abominations in his heart.
26 Though his hatred cover itself with guile, his wickedness shall be openly shown before the assembly.
[Whose] hatred is covered by deceit, his wickedness shall be shewed before the [whole] congregation.
27 He who digs a pit shall fall in it, and he who rolls a stone, it shall return upon him.
Whoso diggeth a pit shall fall therein: and he that rolleth a stone, it will return upon him.
28 A lying tongue hates those whom it has wounded, and a flattering mouth works ruin.
A lying tongue hateth [those that are] afflicted by it; and a flattering mouth worketh ruin.
