Proverbs 26
1 As snow in summer, and as rain in harvest, so honour beseemeth not a fool.
As snow in summer, and as rain in harvest, so honour is not seemly for a fool.
2 As the sparrow for flitting about, as the swallow for flying, so a curse undeserved shall not come.
As the wandering sparrow, as the flying swallow, so the curse that is causeless shall come home.
3 A whip for the horse, a bridle for the ass, and a rod for the back of fools.
A whip for the horse, a bridle for the ass, and a rod for the back of fools.
4 Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest thou also be like unto him.
Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest thou also be like unto him.
5 Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own eyes.
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 damage.
He that sendeth a message by the hand of a fool cutteth off his own feet, and drinketh damage.
7 The legs of the lame hang loose; so is a proverb in the mouth of fools.
The legs hang limp from the lame; so is a parable in the mouth of fools.
8 As a bag of gems in a stoneheap, so is he that giveth honour to a fool.
As a small stone in a heap of stones, so is he that giveth honour to a fool.
9 [As] a thorn goeth up into the hand of a drunkard, so is a proverb in the mouth of fools.
As a thorn that cometh into the hand of a drunkard, so is a parable in the mouth of fools.
10 A master roughly worketh every one: he both hireth the fool and hireth passers-by.
A master performeth all things; but he that stoppeth a fool is as one that stoppeth a flood.
11 As a dog turneth back to its vomit, [so] a fool repeateth his folly.
As a dog that returneth to his vomit, so is a fool that repeateth his folly.
12 Hast thou seen a man wise in his own eyes? There is more hope of a fool than of him.
Seest thou a man wise in his own eyes? there is more hope of a fool than of him.
13 The sluggard saith, There is a fierce lion in the way; a lion is in the midst of the streets!
The sluggard saith: 'There is a lion in the way; yea, a lion is in the streets.'
14 [As] the door turneth upon its hinges, so the sluggard upon his bed.
The door is turning upon its hinges, and the sluggard is still upon his bed.
15 The sluggard burieth his hand in the dish: it wearieth him to bring it again to his mouth.
The sluggard burieth his hand in the dish; it wearieth him to bring it back to his mouth.
16 A sluggard is wiser in his own eyes than seven [men] that answer discreetly.
The sluggard is wiser in his own eyes than seven men that give wise answer.
17 He that passing by vexeth himself with strife belonging not to him, is [like] one that taketh a dog by the ears.
He that passeth by, and meddleth with strife not his own, is like one that taketh a dog by the ears.
18 As a madman who casteth firebrands, arrows, and death,
As a madman who casteth firebrands, arrows, and death;
19 so is a man that deceiveth his neighbour, and saith, Am I not in sport?
So is the man that deceiveth his neighbour, and saith: 'Am not I in sport?'
20 Where no wood is, the fire goeth out; and where there is no talebearer, the contention ceaseth.
Where no wood is, the fire goeth out; and where there is no whisperer, contention ceaseth.
21 [As] coals for hot coals, and wood for fire, so is a contentious man to inflame strife.
As coals are to burning coals, and wood to fire; so is a contentious man to kindle strife.
22 The words of a talebearer are as dainty morsels, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.
The words of a whisperer are as dainty morsels, and they go down into the innermost parts of the body.
23 Ardent lips, and a wicked heart, are [as] an earthen vessel overlaid with silver dross.
Burning lips and a wicked heart are like an earthen vessel overlaid with silver dross.
24 He that hateth dissembleth with his lips, but he layeth up deceit within him:
He that hateth dissembleth with his lips, but he layeth up deceit within him.
25 when his voice is gracious, believe him not, for there are seven abominations in his heart.
When he speaketh fair, believe him not; for there are seven abominations in his heart.
26 Though [his] hatred is covered by dissimulation, his wickedness shall be made manifest in the congregation.
Though his hatred be concealed with deceit, his wickedness shall be revealed before the congregation.
27 Whoso diggeth a pit shall fall therein; and he that rolleth a stone, it shall return upon him.
Whoso diggeth a pit shall fall therein; and he that rolleth a stone, it shall return upon him.
28 A lying tongue hateth those that are injured by it, and a flattering mouth worketh ruin.
A lying tongue hateth those that are crushed by it; and a flattering mouth worketh ruin.
