Proverbs 26
1 As snow in summer, and as rain in harvest, So honor is not seemly for a fool.
Like snow in summer, and as rain in harvest, so honor is not fitting for a fool.
2 As the sparrow in her wandering, as the swallow in her flying, So the curse that is causeless alighteth not.
Like a fluttering sparrow, like a darting swallow, so the undeserved curse doesn't come to rest.
3 A whip for the horse, a bridle for the ass, And a rod for the back of fools.
A whip is for the horse, a bridle for the donkey, and a rod for the back of fools.
4 Answer not a fool according to his folly, Lest thou also be like unto him.
Do not answer a fool according to his folly, lest you also be like 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 eyes.
6 He that sendeth a message by the hand of a fool Cutteth off [his own] feet, [and] drinketh in damage.
One who sends a message by the hand of a fool is cutting off feet and drinking violence.
7 The legs of the lame hang loose; So is a parable in the mouth of fools.
Like the legs of the lame that hang loose: so is a parable in the mouth of fools.
8 As one that bindeth a stone in a sling, So is he that giveth honor to a fool.
As one who binds a stone in a sling, so is he who gives honor to a fool.
9 [As] a thorn that goeth up into the hand of a drunkard, So is a parable in the mouth of fools.
Like a thornbush that goes into the hand of a drunkard, so is a parable in the mouth of fools.
10 [As] an archer that woundeth all, So is he that hireth a fool and he that hireth them that pass by.
As an archer who wounds all, so is he who hires a fool or he who hires those who pass by.
11 As a dog that returneth to his vomit, [So is] a fool that repeateth his folly.
As a dog that returns to his vomit, so is a fool who repeats his folly.
12 Seest thou a man wise in his own conceit? There is more hope of a fool than of him.
Do you see a man wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him.
13 The sluggard saith, There is a lion in the way; A lion is in the streets.
The sluggard says, "There is a lion in the road. A fierce lion roams the streets."
14 [As] the door turneth upon its hinges, So doth the sluggard upon his bed.
As the door turns on its hinges, so does the sluggard on his bed.
15 The sluggard burieth his hand in the dish; It wearieth him to bring it again to his mouth.
The sluggard buries his hand in the dish. He is too lazy to bring it back to his mouth.
16 The sluggard is wiser in his own conceit Than seven men that can render a reason.
The sluggard is wiser in his own eyes than seven men who answer with discretion.
17 He that passeth by, [and] vexeth himself with strife belonging not to him, Is [like] one that taketh a dog by the ears.
Like one who grabs a dog's ears is one who passes by and meddles in a quarrel not his own.
18 As a madman who casteth firebrands, Arrows, and death,
Like a madman who shoots firebrands, arrows, and death,
19 So is the man that deceiveth his neighbor, And saith, Am not I in sport?
is the man who deceives his neighbor and says, "Am I not joking?"
20 For lack of wood the fire goeth out; And where there is no whisperer, contention ceaseth.
Without wood a fire goes out. Without gossip, contention ceases.
21 [As] coals are to hot embers, and wood to fire, So is a contentious man to inflame strife.
As coals are to hot embers, and wood to fire, so is a contentious man to kindling strife.
22 The words of a whisperer are as dainty morsels, And they go down into the innermost parts.
The words of a gossip are as tasty morsels, they go down into the innermost parts.
23 Fervent lips and a wicked heart Are [like] an earthen vessel overlaid with silver dross.
Like silver dross on an earthen vessel are the lips of a fervent one with an evil heart.
24 He that hateth dissembleth with his lips; But he layeth up deceit within him:
A malicious man disguises himself with his lips, but he harbors evil in his heart.
25 When he speaketh fair, believe him not; For there are seven abominations in his heart:
When his speech is charming, do not believe him; for there are seven abominations in his heart.
26 Though [his] hatred cover itself with guile, His wickedness shall be openly showed before the assembly.
His malice may be concealed by deception, but his wickedness will be exposed in the assembly.
27 Whoso diggeth a pit shall fall therein; And he that rolleth a stone, it shall return upon him.
Whoever digs a pit shall fall into it. Whoever rolls a stone, it will come back on him.
28 A lying tongue hateth those whom it hath wounded; And a flattering mouth worketh ruin.
A lying tongue hates those it hurts; and a flattering mouth works ruin.
