Proverbs 26
1 Like snow in summer, and as rain in harvest, so honor is not fitting for a fool.
As snow in summer, and as rain in harvest, So honor is not becoming to a fool.
2 Like a fluttering sparrow, like a darting swallow, so the undeserved curse does not come to rest.
As the sparrow wandereth, and the swallow flieth away, So the curse without cause shall not come.
3 A whip is 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 back of the fool.
4 Do not answer a fool according to his folly, lest you also be like him.
Answer not a fool according to his folly, Lest thou also become like to him.
5 Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own eyes.
Answer a fool according to his folly, Lest he be wise in his own conceit.
6 One who sends a message by the hand of a fool is cutting off feet and drinking violence.
He cutteth off the feet, and drinketh damage, Who sendeth a message by the hand of a fool.
7 Like the legs of the lame that hang loose, so is a parable in the mouth of fools.
The legs of a lame man hang loose; So is it with a proverb in the mouth of fools.
8 As one who binds a stone in a sling, so is he who gives honor to a fool.
As he who bindeth a stone in a sling, So is he that giveth honor to a fool.
9 Like a thorn bush that goes into the hand of a drunkard, so is a parable in the mouth of fools.
As a thorn lifted up by the hand of a drunkard, So is a proverb in the mouth of fools.
10 As an archer who wounds all, so is he who hires a fool or he who hires those who pass by.
As an archer who woundeth every one, So is he who hireth fools and hireth wayfarers.
11 As a dog that returns to his vomit, so is a fool who repeats his folly.
As a dog returneth to that which he hath vomited, So a fool repeateth his folly.
12 Do you see a man wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for 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 road! A fierce lion roams the streets!”
The slothful man saith, “There is a lion in the way; There is a lion in the streets.”
14 As the door turns on its hinges, so does the sluggard on his bed.
As a door turneth upon its hinges, So doth the sluggard upon his bed.
15 The sluggard buries his hand in the dish. He is too lazy to bring it back to his mouth.
The sluggard dippeth his hand into the dish; It grieveth him to bring it again to his mouth.
16 The sluggard is wiser in his own eyes than seven men who answer with discretion.
The sluggard is wiser in his own conceit Than seven men who can render a reason.
17 Like one who grabs a dog’s ears is one who passes by and meddles in a quarrel not his own.
As one that taketh a dog by the ears, So is he who, passing by, is enraged on account of the quarrel of another.
18 Like a madman who shoots torches, arrows, and death,
As a madman That casteth about darts, arrows, and death,
19 is the man who deceives his neighbor and says, “Am I not joking?”
So is the man who deceiveth his neighbor, And saith, “Was I not in sport?”
20 For lack of wood a fire goes out. Without gossip, a quarrel dies down.
Where there is no wood, the fire goeth out; So, where there is no talebearer, contention ceaseth.
21 As coals are to hot embers, and wood to fire, so is a contentious man to kindling strife.
As coal is for heat, and as wood for fire, So is a contentious man for kindling strife.
22 The words of a whisperer are as dainty morsels, they go down into the innermost parts.
The words of a talebearer are like dainties; For they go down to the innermost parts of the body.
23 Like silver dross on an earthen vessel are the lips of a fervent one with an evil heart.
As drossy silver spread over an earthen vessel, So are warm lips and an evil heart.
24 A malicious man disguises himself with his lips, but he harbors evil in his heart.
The hater dissembleth with his lips, And layeth up deceit within him.
25 When his speech is charming, do not believe him, for there are seven abominations in his heart.
When he speaketh fair, believe him not! For there are seven abominations in his heart.
26 His malice may be concealed by deception, but his wickedness will be exposed in the assembly.
His hatred is covered by deceit; His wickedness shall be revealed in the great assembly.
27 Whoever digs a pit shall fall into it. Whoever rolls a stone, it will come back on him.
He that diggeth a pit shall fall therein; And he that rolleth a stone, it shall return upon him.
28 A lying tongue hates those it hurts; and a flattering mouth works ruin.
A lying tongue hateth those whom it woundeth, And a flattering mouth worketh ruin.
