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.
As snow in summer, and rain in harvest, so glory is not seemly for a fool.
2 As the sparowe by flying, and the swallow by flying escape, so the curse that is causeles, shall not come.
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.
3 Vnto the horse belongeth a whip, to the asse a bridle, and a rod to the fooles backe.
A whip for a horse, and a snaffle for an ass, and a rod for the back of fools.
4 Answer not a foole according to his foolishnes, least thou also be like him.
Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest thou be made like him.
5 Answere a foole according to his foolishnes, least he be wise in his owne conceite.
Answer a fool 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.
He that sendeth words by a foolish messenger, is lame of feet and drinketh iniquity.
7 As they that lift vp the legs of the lame, so is a parable in a fooles mouth.
As a lame man hath fair legs in vain: so a parable is unseemly in the mouth of fools.
8 As the closing vp of a precious stone in an heape of stones, so is he that giueth glory to a foole.
As he that casteth a stone into the heap of Mercury: so is he that giveth honour to a fool.
9 As a thorne standing vp in the hand of a drunkard, so is a parable in the mouth of fooles.
As if a thorn should grow in the hand of a drunkard: so is a parable in the mouth of fools.
10 The excellent that formed all things, both rewardeth the foole and rewardeth the transgressers.
Judgment determineth causes: and he that putteth a fool to silence, appeaseth anger.
11 As a dog turneth againe to his owne vomit, so a foole turneth to his foolishnes.
As a dog that returneth to his vomit, so is the fool that repeateth his folly.
12 Seest thou a man wise in his owne conceite? more hope is of a foole then of him.
Hast thou seen a man wise in his own conceit? there shall be more hope of a fool than of him.
13 The slouthfull man sayth, A lyon is in the way: a lyon is in the streetes.
The slothful man saith: There is a lion in the way, and a lioness in the roads.
14 As the doore turneth vpon his hinges, so doeth the slouthfull man vpon his bed.
As the door turneth upon its hinges, so doth the slothful upon his bed.
15 The slouthfull hideth his hand in his bosome, and it grieueth him to put it againe to his mouth.
The slothful hideth his hand under his armpit, and it grieveth him to turn it to his mouth.
16 The sluggard is wiser in his owne conceite, then seuen men that can render a reason.
The sluggard is wiser in his own conceit, than seven men that speak sentences.
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.
As he that taketh a dog by the ears, so is he that passeth by in anger, and meddleth with another man’s quarrel.
18 As he that faineth himselfe mad, casteth fire brands, arrowes, and mortall things,
As he is guilty that shooteth arrows, and lances unto death:
19 So dealeth the deceitfull man with his friend and sayth, Am not I in sport?
So is the man that hurteth his friend deceitfully: and when he is taken, saith: I did it in jest.
20 Without wood the fire is quenched, and without a talebearer strife ceaseth.
When the wood faileth, the fire shall go out: and when the talebearer is taken away, contentions shall cease.
21 As ye cole maketh burning coles, and wood a fire, so the contentious man is apt to kindle strife.
As coals are to burning coals, and wood to fire, so an angry man stirreth up strife.
22 The wordes of a tale bearer are as flatterings, and they goe downe into the bowels of the belly.
The words of a talebearer are as it were simple, but they reach to the innermost parts of the belly.
23 As siluer drosse ouerlayde vpon a potsheard, so are burning lips, and an euill heart.
Swelling lips joined with a corrupt heart, are like an earthen vessel adorned with silver dross.
24 He that hateth, will counterfaite with his lips, but in his heart he layeth vp deceite.
An enemy is known by his lips, when in his heart he entertaineth deceit.
25 Though he speake fauourably, beleeue him not: for there are seuen abominations in his heart.
When he shall speak low, trust him not: because there are seven mischiefs in his heart.
26 Hatred may be couered by deceite: but the malice thereof shall be discouered in the congregation.
He that covereth hatred deceitfully, his malice shall be laid open in the public assembly.
27 He that diggeth a pit shall fall therein, and he that rolleth a stone, it shall returne vnto him.
He that diggeth a pit, shall fall into it: and he that rolleth a stone, it shall return to him.
28 A false tongue hateth the afflicted, and a flattering mouth causeth ruine.
A deceitful tongue loveth not truth: and a slippery mouth worketh ruin.
