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 dew in harvest, and as rain in summer, so honor 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 birds and sparrows fly, so a curse shall not come upon any one without a cause.
3 Vnto the horse belongeth a whip, to the asse a bridle, and a rod to the fooles backe.
As a whip for a horse, and a goad for an ass, so [is] a rod for a simple nation.
4 Answer not a foole according to his foolishnes, least thou also be like him.
Answer not a fool 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.
Yet answer a fool according to his folly, lest he seem wise in his own conceit.
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 sends a message by a foolish messenger procures for himself a reproach from his own ways.
7 As they that lift vp the legs of the lame, so is a parable in a fooles mouth.
[As well] take away the motion of the legs, as transgression from 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.
He that binds up a stone in a sling, is like one that gives glory to a fool.
9 As a thorne standing vp in the hand of a drunkard, so is a parable in the mouth of fooles.
Thorns grow in the hand of a drunkard, and servitude in the hand of fools.
10 The excellent that formed all things, both rewardeth the foole and rewardeth the transgressers.
All the flesh of fools endures much hardship; for their fury is brought to nothing.
11 As a dog turneth againe to his owne vomit, so a foole turneth to his foolishnes.
As when a dog goes to his own vomit, and becomes abominable, so is fool who returns in his wickedness to his own sin. [There is a shame that brings sin: and there is a shame [that is] glory and grace.]
12 Seest thou a man wise in his owne conceite? more hope is of a foole then of him.
I have seen a man who seemed to himself to be wise; but a fool had more hope than he.
13 The slouthfull man sayth, A lyon is in the way: a lyon is in the streetes.
A sluggard when sent on a journey says, [There is] a lion in the ways, and [there are] murderers in the streets.
14 As the doore turneth vpon his hinges, so doeth the slouthfull man vpon his bed.
As a door turns on the hinge, so does a sluggard on his bed.
15 The slouthfull hideth his hand in his bosome, and it grieueth him to put it againe to his mouth.
A sluggard having hid his hand in his bosom, will not be able to bring it up to his mouth.
16 The sluggard is wiser in his owne conceite, then seuen men that can render a reason.
A sluggard seems to himself wiser than one who most satisfactorily brings back a message.
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 lays hold of a dog's tail, so is he that makes himself the champion of another's cause.
18 As he that faineth himselfe mad, casteth fire brands, arrowes, and mortall things,
As those who need correction put forth [fair] words to men, and he that first falls in with the proposal will be overthrown;
19 So dealeth the deceitfull man with his friend and sayth, Am not I in sport?
so are all that lay wait for their own friends, and when they are discovered, say, I did it in jest.
20 Without wood the fire is quenched, and without a talebearer strife ceaseth.
With much wood fire increases; but where there is not a double-minded man, strife ceases.
21 As ye cole maketh burning coles, and wood a fire, so the contentious man is apt to kindle strife.
A hearth for coals, and wood for fire; and railing man for the tumult of strife.
22 The wordes of a tale bearer are as flatterings, and they goe downe into the bowels of the belly.
The words of cunning knaves are soft; but they strike [even] to the inmost parts of the bowels.
23 As siluer drosse ouerlayde vpon a potsheard, so are burning lips, and an euill heart.
Silver dishonestly given is to be considered as a potsherd: smooth lips cover a grievous heart.
24 He that hateth, will counterfaite with his lips, but in his heart he layeth vp deceite.
A weeping enemy promises all things with his lips, but in his heart he contrives deceit.
25 Though he speake fauourably, beleeue him not: for there are seuen abominations in his heart.
Though [your] enemy entreat you with a loud voice, consent not: for there are seven abominations in his heart.
26 Hatred may be couered by deceite: but the malice thereof shall be discouered in the congregation.
He that hides enmity frames deceit: but being easily discerned, exposes his own sins in the public assemblies.
27 He that diggeth a pit shall fall therein, and he that rolleth a stone, it shall returne vnto him.
He that digs a pit for his neighbor shall fall into it: and he that rolls a stone, rolls it upon himself.
28 A false tongue hateth the afflicted, and a flattering mouth causeth ruine.
A lying tongue hates the truth; and an unguarded mouth causes tumults.
