Proverbs 26
1 As the snowe in the sommer, and as the raine in the haruest are not meete, so is honour vnseemely for a foole.
In the manner of snow in the summer, and rain at the harvest, so also is glory unfit for the foolish.
2 As the sparowe by flying, and the swallow by flying escape, so the curse that is causeles, shall not come.
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.
3 Vnto the horse belongeth a whip, to the asse a bridle, and a rod to the fooles backe.
A whip is for a horse, and a muzzle is for donkey, and a rod is for the back of the imprudent.
4 Answer not a foole according to his foolishnes, least thou also be like him.
Do not respond to the foolish according to his folly, lest you become like him.
5 Answere a foole according to his foolishnes, least he be wise in his owne conceite.
Respond to the foolish according to his folly, lest he imagine himself to be wise.
6 He that sendeth a message by the hand of a foole, is as he that cutteth off the feete, and drinketh iniquitie.
Whoever sends words by a foolish messenger has lame feet and drinks iniquity.
7 As they that lift vp the legs of the lame, so is a parable in a fooles mouth.
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.
8 As the closing vp of a precious stone in an heape of stones, so is he that giueth glory to a foole.
Just like one who casts a stone into the pile of Mercury, so also is he who gives honor to the foolish.
9 As a thorne standing vp in the hand of a drunkard, so is a parable in the mouth of fooles.
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.
10 The excellent that formed all things, both rewardeth the foole and rewardeth the transgressers.
Judgment determines cases. And whoever imposes silence on the foolish mitigates anger.
11 As a dog turneth againe to his owne vomit, so a foole turneth to his foolishnes.
Like a dog that returns to his vomit, so also is the imprudent who repeats his foolishness.
12 Seest thou a man wise in his owne conceite? more hope is of a foole then of him.
Have you seen a man who seems wise to himself? There will be greater hope held for the unwise than for him.
13 The slouthfull man sayth, A lyon is in the way: a lyon is in the streetes.
The lazy one says, “There is a lion along the way, and a lioness in the roads.”
14 As the doore turneth vpon his hinges, so doeth the slouthfull man vpon his bed.
Just as a door turns upon its hinges, so also does the lazy one turn upon his bed.
15 The slouthfull hideth his hand in his bosome, and it grieueth him to put it againe to his mouth.
The lazy one conceals his hand under his arms, and it is a labor for him to move it to his mouth.
16 The sluggard is wiser in his owne conceite, then seuen men that can render a reason.
The lazy one seems wiser to himself than seven men speaking judgments.
17 He that passeth by and medleth with the strife that belongeth not vnto him, is as one that taketh a dog by the eares.
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.
18 As he that faineth himselfe mad, casteth fire brands, arrowes, and mortall things,
Just as he is guilty who let loose the arrows and the lances unto death,
19 So dealeth the deceitfull man with his friend and sayth, Am not I in sport?
so also is the man who harms his friend by deceitfulness. And when he has been apprehended, he says, “I did it jokingly.”
20 Without wood the fire is quenched, and without a talebearer strife ceaseth.
When the wood fails, the fire will be extinguished. And when the gossiper is taken away, conflicts will be quelled.
21 As ye cole maketh burning coles, and wood a fire, so the contentious man is apt to kindle strife.
Just as charcoals are to burning coals, and wood is to fire, so also is an angry man who stirs up quarrels.
22 The wordes of a tale bearer are as flatterings, and they goe downe into the bowels of the belly.
The words of a whisperer seem simple, but they penetrate to the innermost parts of the self.
23 As siluer drosse ouerlayde vpon a potsheard, so are burning lips, and an euill heart.
In the same manner as an earthen vessel, if it were adorned with impure silver, conceited lips are allied with a wicked heart.
24 He that hateth, will counterfaite with his lips, but in his heart he layeth vp deceite.
An enemy is known by his lips, though it is from his heart that he draws out deceit.
25 Though he speake fauourably, beleeue him not: for there are seuen abominations in his heart.
When he will have lowered his voice, do not believe him, for there are seven vices in his heart.
26 Hatred may be couered by deceite: but the malice thereof shall be discouered in the congregation.
Whoever covers hatred with deceit, his malice shall be revealed in the assembly.
27 He that diggeth a pit shall fall therein, and he that rolleth a stone, it shall returne vnto him.
Whoever digs a pit will fall into it. And whoever rolls a stone, it will roll back to him.
28 A false tongue hateth the afflicted, and a flattering mouth causeth ruine.
A false tongue does not love truth. And a slippery mouth works ruin.
