Proverbs 26

1 As dew in harvest, and as rain in summer, so honour is not [seemly] for a fool.

2 As birds and sparrows fly, so a curse shall not come upon any one without a cause.

3 As a whip for a horse, and a goad for an ass, so [is] a rod for a simple nation.

4 Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest you become like him.

5 Yet answer a fool according to his folly, lest he seem wise in his own conceit.

6 He that sends a message by a foolish messenger procures for himself a reproach from his own ways.

7 [As well] take away the motion of the legs, as transgression from the mouth of fools.

8 He that binds up a stone in a sling, is like one that gives glory to a fool.

9 Thorns grow in the hand of a drunkard, and servitude in the hand of fools.

10 All the flesh of fools endures much hardship; for their fury is brought to nothing.

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.]

12 I have seen a man who seemed to himself to be wise; but a fool had more hope than he.

13 A sluggard when sent on a journey says, [There is] a lion in the ways, and [there are] murderers in the streets.

14 As a door turns on the hinge, so does a 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.

16 A sluggard seems to himself wiser than one who most satisfactorily brings back a message.

17 As he that lays hold of a dog's tail, so is he that makes himself the champion of another's cause.

18 As those who need correction put forth [fair] words to men, and he that first falls in with the proposal will be overthrown;

19 so are all that lay wait for their own friends, and when they are discovered, say, I did it in jest.

20 With much wood fire increases; but where there is not a double-minded man, strife ceases.

21 A hearth for coals, and wood for fire; and railing man for the tumult of strife.

22 The words of cunning knaves are soft; but they strike [even] to the inmost parts of the bowels.

23 Silver dishonestly given is to be considered as a potsherd: smooth lips cover a grievous heart.

24 A weeping enemy promises all things with his lips, but in his heart he contrives deceit.

25 Though [your] enemy entreat you with a loud voice, consent not: 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.

27 He that digs a pit for his neighbour shall fall into it: and he that rolls a stone, rolls it upon himself.

28 A lying tongue hates the truth; and an unguarded mouth causes tumults.