Proverbs 26
1 Honoring someone stupid is as inappropriate as snow in the summer or rain during harvest.
As snow in summer, and as rain in harvest, So honor is not becoming to a fool.
2 A curse that isn't deserved won't land on the person, like a fluttering sparrow or a flitting swallow.
As the sparrow wandereth, and the swallow flieth away, So the curse without cause shall not come.
3 Horses need a whip, donkeys need a bridle, and stupid people need a rod on their backs!
A whip for the horse, a bridle for the ass, And a rod for the back of the fool.
4 Don't answer stupid people following their stupidity, or you'll become as bad as them.
Answer not a fool according to his folly, Lest thou also become like to him.
5 Answer stupid people following their stupidity, otherwise they'll think they're wise.
Answer a fool according to his folly, Lest he be wise in his own conceit.
6 Trusting someone stupid to deliver a message is like cutting of your feet or drinking poison.
He cutteth off the feet, and drinketh damage, Who sendeth a message by the hand of a fool.
7 A proverb spoken by someone stupid is as useless as a lame person's legs.
The legs of a lame man hang loose; So is it with a proverb in the mouth of fools.
8 Honoring someone stupid is as pointless as tying a stone into a sling.
As he who bindeth a stone in a sling, So is he that giveth honor to a fool.
9 A proverb spoken by someone stupid is as ridiculous as a thorn bush waved around by a drunk.
As a thorn lifted up by the hand of a drunkard, So is a proverb in the mouth of fools.
10 Anyone who hires someone stupid or just a passer-by is like an archer wounding people by shooting arrows at random.
As an archer who woundeth every one, So is he who hireth fools and hireth wayfarers.
11 Stupid people repeat their stupidity like a dog returning to its vomit.
As a dog returneth to that which he hath vomited, So a fool repeateth his folly.
12 Have you seen a man who is wise in his own eyes? There's more hope for stupid people than for him!
Seest thou a man wise in his own conceit? There is more hope of a fool than of him.
13 Lazy people are the ones who say, “There's a lion on the road—a lion running around the streets!”
The slothful man saith, “There is a lion in the way; There is a lion in the streets.”
14 A lazy person turns in bed like a door turns on its hinge.
As a door turneth upon its hinges, So doth the sluggard upon his bed.
15 Lazy people put their hands in a dish, but are too tired to lift the food to their mouths.
The sluggard dippeth his hand into the dish; It grieveth him to bring it again to his mouth.
16 In their own eyes lazy people are wiser than many sensible advisors.
The sluggard is wiser in his own conceit Than seven men who can render a reason.
17 Interfering in someone else's quarrel is like grabbing a stray dog by the ears.
As one that taketh a dog by the ears, So is he who, passing by, is enraged on account of the quarrel of another.
18 You're like a crazy person firing off blazing arrows and killing people
As a madman That casteth about darts, arrows, and death,
19 if you lie to your friend and then say, “I was only joking!”
So is the man who deceiveth his neighbor, And saith, “Was I not in sport?”
20 Without wood, the fire goes out; and without gossips, arguments stop.
Where there is no wood, the fire goeth out; So, where there is no talebearer, contention ceaseth.
21 An argumentative person fires up quarrels like putting charcoal on hot embers or wood on a fire.
As coal is for heat, and as wood for fire, So is a contentious man for kindling strife.
22 Listening to gossip is like gulping down bites of your favorite food—they go deep down inside you.
The words of a talebearer are like dainties; For they go down to the innermost parts of the body.
23 Smooth talking with evil intent is like a shiny lead glaze on an earthenware pot.
As drossy silver spread over an earthen vessel, So are warm lips and an evil heart.
24 People say nice things to you even though they hate you; deep down they're just lying to you.
The hater dissembleth with his lips, And layeth up deceit within him.
25 When people talk nicely to you, don't believe them—their minds are full of hate for you.
When he speaketh fair, believe him not! For there are seven abominations in his heart.
26 Even though their hatred may be hidden by cunning tricks, their evil will be revealed to everyone.
His hatred is covered by deceit; His wickedness shall be revealed in the great assembly.
27 Those who dig pits to trap others will fall in themselves, and those who start boulders rolling will be crushed themselves.
He that diggeth a pit shall fall therein; And he that rolleth a stone, it shall return upon him.
28 If you tell lies, you show you hate your victims; if you flatter people, you cause disaster.
A lying tongue hateth those whom it woundeth, And a flattering mouth worketh ruin.
