Proverbs 26
1 As snow in summer, and rain in harvest, so glory is not seemly for a fool.
Honoring someone stupid is as inappropriate as snow in the summer or rain during harvest.
2 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.
A curse that isn't deserved won't land on the person, like a fluttering sparrow or a flitting swallow.
3 A whip for a horse, and a snaffle for an ass, and a rod for the back of fools.
Horses need a whip, donkeys need a bridle, and stupid people need a rod on their backs!
4 Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest thou be made like him.
Don't answer stupid people following their stupidity, or you'll become as bad as them.
5 Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he imagine himself to be wise.
Answer stupid people following their stupidity, otherwise they'll think they're wise.
6 He that sendeth words by a foolish messenger, is lame of feet and drinketh iniquity.
Trusting someone stupid to deliver a message is like cutting of your feet or drinking poison.
7 As a lame man hath fair legs in vain: so a parable is unseemly in the mouth of fools.
A proverb spoken by someone stupid is as useless as a lame person's legs.
8 As he that casteth a stone into the heap of Mercury: so is he that giveth honour to a fool.
Honoring someone stupid is as pointless as tying a stone into a sling.
9 As if a thorn should grow in the hand of a drunkard: so is a parable in the mouth of fools.
A proverb spoken by someone stupid is as ridiculous as a thorn bush waved around by a drunk.
10 Judgment determineth causes: and he that putteth a fool to silence, appeaseth anger.
Anyone who hires someone stupid or just a passer-by is like an archer wounding people by shooting arrows at random.
11 As a dog that returneth to his vomit, so is the fool that repeateth his folly.
Stupid people repeat their stupidity like a dog returning to its vomit.
12 Hast thou seen a man wise in his own conceit? there shall be more hope of a fool than of him.
Have you seen a man who is wise in his own eyes? There's more hope for stupid people than for him!
13 The slothful man saith: There is a lion in the way, and a lioness in the roads.
Lazy people are the ones who say, “There's a lion on the road—a lion running around the streets!”
14 As the door turneth upon its hinges, so doth the slothful upon his bed.
A lazy person turns in bed like a door turns on its hinge.
15 The slothful hideth his hand under his armpit, and it grieveth him to turn it to his mouth.
Lazy people put their hands in a dish, but are too tired to lift the food to their mouths.
16 The sluggard is wiser in his own conceit, than seven men that speak sentences.
In their own eyes lazy people are wiser than many sensible advisors.
17 As he that taketh a dog by the ears, so is he that passeth by in anger, and meddleth with another man’s quarrel.
Interfering in someone else's quarrel is like grabbing a stray dog by the ears.
18 As he is guilty that shooteth arrows, and lances unto death:
You're like a crazy person firing off blazing arrows and killing people
19 So is the man that hurteth his friend deceitfully: and when he is taken, saith: I did it in jest.
if you lie to your friend and then say, “I was only joking!”
20 When the wood faileth, the fire shall go out: and when the talebearer is taken away, contentions shall cease.
Without wood, the fire goes out; and without gossips, arguments stop.
21 As coals are to burning coals, and wood to fire, so an angry man stirreth up strife.
An argumentative person fires up quarrels like putting charcoal on hot embers or wood on a fire.
22 The words of a talebearer are as it were simple, but they reach to the innermost parts of the belly.
Listening to gossip is like gulping down bites of your favorite food—they go deep down inside you.
23 Swelling lips joined with a corrupt heart, are like an earthen vessel adorned with silver dross.
Smooth talking with evil intent is like a shiny lead glaze on an earthenware pot.
24 An enemy is known by his lips, when in his heart he entertaineth deceit.
People say nice things to you even though they hate you; deep down they're just lying to you.
25 When he shall speak low, trust him not: because there are seven mischiefs in his heart.
When people talk nicely to you, don't believe them—their minds are full of hate for you.
26 He that covereth hatred deceitfully, his malice shall be laid open in the public assembly.
Even though their hatred may be hidden by cunning tricks, their evil will be revealed to everyone.
27 He that diggeth a pit, shall fall into it: and he that rolleth a stone, it shall return to him.
Those who dig pits to trap others will fall in themselves, and those who start boulders rolling will be crushed themselves.
28 A deceitful tongue loveth not truth: and a slippery mouth worketh ruin.
If you tell lies, you show you hate your victims; if you flatter people, you cause disaster.
