Proverbs 26
1 As dew in harvest, and as rain in summer, so honour is not [seemly] for a fool.
As snow in summer, and rain in harvest, so glory is not seemly for a fool.
2 As birds and sparrows fly, so a curse shall not come upon any one without a cause.
As a bird flying to other places, and a sparrow going here or there: so a curse uttered without cause shall come upon a man.
3 As a whip for a horse, and a goad for an ass, so [is] a rod for a simple nation.
A whip for a horse, and a snaffle for an ass, and a rod for the back of fools.
4 Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest thou become like him.
Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest thou be made like him.
5 Yet answer a fool according to his folly, lest he seem wise in his own conceit.
Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he imagine himself to be wise.
6 He that sends a message by a foolish messenger procures for himself a reproach from his own ways.
He that sendeth words by a foolish messenger, is lame of feet and drinketh iniquity.
7 [As well] take away the motion of the legs, as transgression from the mouth of fools.
As a lame man hath fair legs in vain: so a parable is unseemly in the mouth of fools.
8 He that binds up a stone in a sling, is like one that gives glory to a fool.
As he that casteth a stone into the heap of Mercury: so is he that giveth honour to a fool.
9 Thorns grow in the hand of a drunkard, and servitude in the hand of fools.
As if a thorn should grow in the hand of a drunkard: so is a parable in the mouth of fools.
10 All the flesh of fools endures much hardship; for their fury is brought to nought.
Judgment determineth causes: and he that putteth a fool to silence, appeaseth anger.
11 As when a dog goes to his own vomit, and becomes abominable, so is fool who returns in his wickedness to his own sin. [There is a shame that brings sin: and there is a shame [that is] glory and grace.]
As a dog that returneth to his vomit, so is the fool that repeateth his folly.
12 I have seen a man who seemed to himself to be wise; but a fool had more hope than he.
Hast thou seen a man wise in his own conceit? there shall be more hope of a fool than of him.
13 A sluggard when sent on a journey says, [There is] a lion in the ways, and [there are] murderers in the streets.
The slothful man saith: There is a lion in the way, and a lioness in the roads.
14 As a door turns on the hinge, so does a sluggard on his bed.
As the door turneth upon its hinges, so doth the slothful upon his bed.
15 A sluggard having hid his hand in his bosom, will not be able to bring it up to his mouth.
The slothful hideth his hand under his armpit, and it grieveth him to turn it to his mouth.
16 A sluggard seems to himself wiser than one who most satisfactorily brings back a message.
The sluggard is wiser in his own conceit, than seven men that speak sentences.
17 As he that lays hold of a dog's tail, so is he that makes himself the champion of another's cause.
As he that taketh a dog by the ears, so is he that passeth by in anger, and meddleth with another man’s quarrel.
18 As those who need correction put forth [fair] words to men, and he that first falls in with the proposal will be overthrown;
As he is guilty that shooteth arrows, and lances unto death:
19 so are all that lay wait for their own friends, and when they are discovered, say, I did it in jest.
So is the man that hurteth his friend deceitfully: and when he is taken, saith: I did it in jest.
20 With much wood fire increases; but where there is not a double-minded man, strife ceases.
When the wood faileth, the fire shall go out: and when the talebearer is taken away, contentions shall cease.
21 A hearth for coals, and wood for fire; and railing man for the tumult of strife.
As coals are to burning coals, and wood to fire, so an angry man stirreth up strife.
22 The words of cunning knaves are soft; but they smite [even] to the inmost parts of the bowels.
The words of a talebearer are as it were simple, but they reach to the innermost parts of the belly.
23 Silver dishonestly given is to be considered as a potsherd: smooth lips cover a grievous heart.
Swelling lips joined with a corrupt heart, are like an earthen vessel adorned with silver dross.
24 A weeping enemy promises all things with his lips, but in his heart he contrives deceit.
An enemy is known by his lips, when in his heart he entertaineth deceit.
25 Though [thine] enemy intreat thee with a loud voice, consent not: for there are seven abominations in his heart.
When he shall speak low, trust him not: because there are seven mischiefs in his heart.
26 He that hides enmity frames deceit: but being easily discerned, exposes his own sins in the public assemblies.
He that covereth hatred deceitfully, his malice shall be laid open in the public assembly.
27 He that digs a pit for his neighbour shall fall into it: and he that rolls a stone, rolls it upon himself.
He that diggeth a pit, shall fall into it: and he that rolleth a stone, it shall return to him.
28 A lying tongue hates the truth; and an unguarded mouth causes tumults.
A deceitful tongue loveth not truth: and a slippery mouth worketh ruin.
