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 is in summer, and as rain in harvest: so is honor not seemly to a fool.
2 As the sparowe by flying, and the swallow by flying escape, so the curse that is causeles, shall not come.
As the bird [cometh] to flit away, as the swallow, to fly off: so will an undeserved curse not come [to fulfillment].
3 Vnto the horse belongeth a whip, to the asse a bridle, and a rod to the fooles backe.
A whip is for the horse, a bridle for the ass, and a rod for the fool's back.
4 Answer not a foole according to his foolishnes, least thou also be like him.
Do not answer a fool according to his folly, lest thou also become equal unto 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 be wise in his own eyes.
6 He that sendeth a message by the hand of a foole, is as he that cutteth off the feete, and drinketh iniquitie.
He choppeth off the feet, and drinketh vexation, that sendeth important messages by the hand of a fool.
7 As they that lift vp the legs of the lame, so is a parable in a fooles mouth.
Too feebly hang down the thighs on a lame man: so is a parable 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 is the one that bindeth a stone fast in a sling, so is he that giveth honor 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] a thorn that is come into 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.
A master injureth all things when he hireth a fool or hireth mere rovers.
11 As a dog turneth againe to his owne vomit, so a foole turneth to his foolishnes.
As a dog returneth to his vomit, so doth a fool repeat to act in his folly.
12 Seest thou a man wise in his owne conceite? more hope is of a foole then of him.
When thou seest a man wise in his own eyes, then is there more hope for a fool than for him.
13 The slouthfull man sayth, A lyon is in the way: a lyon is in the streetes.
The slothful saith, There is a leopard in the way: a lion is between the streets.
14 As the doore turneth vpon his hinges, so doeth the slouthfull man vpon his bed.
As a 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.
Hath the slothful hidden his hand in the dish, it wearieth him to bring it back again to his mouth.
16 The sluggard is wiser in his owne conceite, then seuen men that can render a reason.
The slothful is wiser in his own eyes, than seven men that can give wise answers.
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 is one that taketh hold of a dog by the ears, so is he that passing by becometh excited about a dispute which concerneth him not.
18 As he that faineth himselfe mad, casteth fire brands, arrowes, and mortall things,
As one fatigueth himself shooting off firebrands, arrows, and death:
19 So dealeth the deceitfull man with his friend and sayth, Am not I in sport?
So is the man that hath cheated his neighbor, and saith, Behold, I am only jesting.
20 Without wood the fire is quenched, and without a talebearer strife ceaseth.
Where there is no wood, the fire goeth out: so where there is no whisperer, strife is silenced.
21 As ye cole maketh burning coles, and wood a fire, so the contentious man is apt to kindle strife.
As charcoals are added to burning coals, and wood to fire, so is a contentious man fitted to enkindle a dispute.
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 are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost chambers of the body.
23 As siluer drosse ouerlayde vpon a potsheard, so are burning lips, and an euill heart.
Like silver dross laid over an earthen vessel, so are burning lips with a bad heart.
24 He that hateth, will counterfaite with his lips, but in his heart he layeth vp deceite.
With his lips dissembleth he that hateth, and within himself layeth he up deceit:
25 Though he speake fauourably, beleeue him not: for there are seuen abominations in his heart.
Though he make his voice sound ever so graciously, believe him 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.
If one's hatred be covered by deception, then shall be laid bare his wickedness before a [whole] assembly.
27 He that diggeth a pit shall fall therein, and he that rolleth a stone, it shall returne vnto him.
Whoso diggeth a pit will fall therein; and upon him that rolleth a stone, will it return.
28 A false tongue hateth the afflicted, and a flattering mouth causeth ruine.
A lying tongue hateth those that are crushed by it; and a flattering mouth prepareth [others'] downfall.
