Proverbs 26
1 As dew in harvest, and as rain in summer, so honour is not [seemly] for a fool.
Like snow in summer, and as rain in harvest, so honour is not fitting for a fool.
2 As birds and sparrows fly, so a curse shall not come upon any one without a cause.
Like a fluttering sparrow, like a darting swallow, so the undeserved curse doesn’t come to rest.
3 As a whip for a horse, and a goad for an ass, so [is] a rod for a simple nation.
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 you become like him.
Don’t answer a fool according to his folly, lest you also be 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 be wise in his own eyes.
6 He that sends a message by a foolish messenger procures for himself a reproach from his own ways.
One who sends a message by the hand of a fool is cutting off feet and drinking violence.
7 [As well] take away the motion of the legs, as transgression from the mouth of fools.
Like the legs of the lame that hang loose, so is a parable 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 one who binds a stone in a sling, so is he who gives honour to a fool.
9 Thorns grow in the hand of a drunkard, and servitude in the hand of fools.
Like a thorn bush that goes into 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 nothing.
As an archer who wounds all, so is he who hires a fool or he who hires those who pass by.
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 returns to his vomit, so is a fool who repeats his folly.
12 I have seen a man who seemed to himself to be wise; but a fool had more hope than he.
Do you see a man wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for 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 sluggard says, “There is a lion in the road! A fierce lion roams the streets!”
14 As a door turns on the hinge, so does a sluggard on his bed.
As the door turns on its hinges, so does the sluggard on his bed.
15 A sluggard having hid his hand in his bosom, will not be able to bring it up to his mouth.
The sluggard buries his hand in the dish. He is too lazy to bring it back 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 eyes than seven men who answer with discretion.
17 As he that lays hold of a dog's tail, so is he that makes himself the champion of another's cause.
Like one who grabs a dog’s ears is one who passes by and meddles in a quarrel not his own.
18 As those who need correction put forth [fair] words to men, and he that first falls in with the proposal will be overthrown;
Like a madman who shoots torches, arrows, and death,
19 so are all that lay wait for their own friends, and when they are discovered, say, I did it in jest.
is the man who deceives his neighbour and says, “Am I not joking?”
20 With much wood fire increases; but where there is not a double-minded man, strife ceases.
For lack of wood a fire goes out. Without gossip, a quarrel dies down.
21 A hearth for coals, and wood for fire; and railing man for the tumult of strife.
As coals are to hot embers, and wood to fire, so is a contentious man to kindling strife.
22 The words of cunning knaves are soft; but they strike [even] to the inmost parts of the bowels.
The words of a whisperer are as dainty morsels, they go down into the innermost parts.
23 Silver dishonestly given is to be considered as a potsherd: smooth lips cover a grievous heart.
Like silver dross on an earthen vessel are the lips of a fervent one with an evil heart.
24 A weeping enemy promises all things with his lips, but in his heart he contrives deceit.
A malicious man disguises himself with his lips, but he harbours evil in his heart.
25 Though [your] enemy entreat you with a loud voice, consent not: for there are seven abominations in his heart.
When his speech is charming, don’t believe him, for there are seven abominations in his heart.
26 He that hides enmity frames deceit: but being easily discerned, exposes his own sins in the public assemblies.
His malice may be concealed by deception, but his wickedness will be exposed in the assembly.
27 He that digs a pit for his neighbour shall fall into it: and he that rolls a stone, rolls it upon himself.
Whoever digs a pit shall fall into it. Whoever rolls a stone, it will come back on him.
28 A lying tongue hates the truth; and an unguarded mouth causes tumults.
A lying tongue hates those it hurts; and a flattering mouth works ruin.
