Proverbs 26
1 In the manner of snow in the summer, and rain at the harvest, so also is glory unfit for the foolish.
As snow is in summer, and as rain in harvest: so is honor not seemly to a fool.
2 Like a bird flying away to another place, and like a sparrow that hurries away freely, so also a curse uttered against someone without cause will pass away.
As the bird [cometh] to flit away, as the swallow, to fly off: so will an undeserved curse not come [to fulfillment].
3 A whip is for a horse, and a muzzle is for donkey, and a rod is for the back of the imprudent.
A whip is for the horse, a bridle for the ass, and a rod for the fool's back.
4 Do not respond to the foolish according to his folly, lest you become like him.
Do not answer a fool according to his folly, lest thou also become equal unto him.
5 Respond to the foolish according to his folly, lest he imagine himself to be wise.
Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own eyes.
6 Whoever sends words by a foolish messenger has lame feet and drinks iniquity.
He choppeth off the feet, and drinketh vexation, that sendeth important messages by the hand of a fool.
7 In the manner of a lame man who has beautiful legs to no purpose, so also is a parable unfit for the mouth of the foolish.
Too feebly hang down the thighs on a lame man: so is a parable in the mouth of fools.
8 Just like one who casts a stone into the pile of Mercury, so also is he who gives honor to the foolish.
As is the one that bindeth a stone fast in a sling, so is he that giveth honor to a fool.
9 In the manner of a thorn, if it were to spring up from the hand of a drunkard, so also is a parable in the mouth of the foolish.
[As] a thorn that is come into the hand of a drunkard, so is a parable in the mouth of fools.
10 Judgment determines cases. And whoever imposes silence on the foolish mitigates anger.
A master injureth all things when he hireth a fool or hireth mere rovers.
11 Like a dog that returns to his vomit, so also is the imprudent who repeats his foolishness.
As a dog returneth to his vomit, so doth a fool repeat to act in his folly.
12 Have you seen a man who seems wise to himself? There will be greater hope held for the unwise than for him.
When thou seest a man wise in his own eyes, then is there more hope for a fool than for him.
13 The lazy one says, “There is a lion along the way, and a lioness in the roads.”
The slothful saith, There is a leopard in the way: a lion is between the streets.
14 Just as a door turns upon its hinges, so also does the lazy one turn upon his bed.
As a door turneth upon its hinges, so doth the slothful upon his bed.
15 The lazy one conceals his hand under his arms, and it is a labor for him to move it to his mouth.
Hath the slothful hidden his hand in the dish, it wearieth him to bring it back again to his mouth.
16 The lazy one seems wiser to himself than seven men speaking judgments.
The slothful is wiser in his own eyes, than seven men that can give wise answers.
17 Just like one who takes hold of a dog by the ears, so also is he who crosses impatiently and meddles in the quarrels of another.
As is one that taketh hold of a dog by the ears, so is he that passing by becometh excited about a dispute which concerneth him not.
18 Just as he is guilty who let loose the arrows and the lances unto death,
As one fatigueth himself shooting off firebrands, arrows, and death:
19 so also is the man who harms his friend by deceitfulness. And when he has been apprehended, he says, “I did it jokingly.”
So is the man that hath cheated his neighbor, and saith, Behold, I am only jesting.
20 When the wood fails, the fire will be extinguished. And when the gossiper is taken away, conflicts will be quelled.
Where there is no wood, the fire goeth out: so where there is no whisperer, strife is silenced.
21 Just as charcoals are to burning coals, and wood is to fire, so also is an angry man who stirs up quarrels.
As charcoals are added to burning coals, and wood to fire, so is a contentious man fitted to enkindle a dispute.
22 The words of a whisperer seem simple, but they penetrate to the innermost parts of the self.
The words of a whisperer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost chambers of the body.
23 In the same manner as an earthen vessel, if it were adorned with impure silver, conceited lips are allied with a wicked heart.
Like silver dross laid over an earthen vessel, so are burning lips with a bad heart.
24 An enemy is known by his lips, though it is from his heart that he draws out deceit.
With his lips dissembleth he that hateth, and within himself layeth he up deceit:
25 When he will have lowered his voice, do not believe him, for there are seven vices in his heart.
Though he make his voice sound ever so graciously, believe him not; for there are seven abominations in his heart.
26 Whoever covers hatred with deceit, his malice shall be revealed in the assembly.
If one's hatred be covered by deception, then shall be laid bare his wickedness before a [whole] assembly.
27 Whoever digs a pit will fall into it. And whoever rolls a stone, it will roll back to him.
Whoso diggeth a pit will fall therein; and upon him that rolleth a stone, will it return.
28 A false tongue does not love truth. And a slippery mouth works ruin.
A lying tongue hateth those that are crushed by it; and a flattering mouth prepareth [others'] downfall.
