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 as rain in harvest, so honour 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 the sparrow in her wandering, as the swallow in her flying, so the curse that is causeless lighteth not.
3 Vnto the horse belongeth a whip, to the asse a bridle, and a rod to the fooles backe.
A whip for the horse, a bridle for the 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 also be like 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 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 sendeth a message by the hand of a fool cutteth off [his own] feet, [and] drinketh in damage.
7 As they that lift vp the legs of the lame, so is a parable in a fooles mouth.
The legs of the lame hang loose: 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 a bag of gems in a heap of stones, 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] a thorn that goeth up into the hand of a drunkard, so is a parable in the month of fools.
10 The excellent that formed all things, both rewardeth the foole and rewardeth the transgressers.
[As] an archer that woundeth all, so is he that hireth the fool and he that hireth them that pass by.
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] a fool that repeateth his folly.
12 Seest thou a man wise in his owne conceite? more hope is of a foole then of him.
Seest thou a man wise in his own conceit? there is 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 sluggard saith, There is a lion in the way; a lion is in the streets.
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 sluggard upon his bed.
15 The slouthfull hideth his hand in his bosome, and it grieueth him to put it againe to his mouth.
The sluggard burieth his hand in the dish; it wearieth him to bring it again 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 can render a reason.
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.
He that passeth by, [and] vexeth himself with strife belonging not to him, is [like] one that taketh a dog by the ears.
18 As he that faineth himselfe mad, casteth fire brands, arrowes, and mortall things,
As a madman who casteth 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 deceiveth his neighbour, and saith, Am not I in sport?
20 Without wood the fire is quenched, and without a talebearer strife ceaseth.
For lack of wood the fire goeth out: and where there is no whisperer, contention ceaseth.
21 As ye cole maketh burning coles, and wood a fire, so the contentious man is apt to kindle strife.
[As] coals are to hot embers, and wood to fire; so is a contentious man to inflame 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 whisperer are as dainty morsels, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.
23 As siluer drosse ouerlayde vpon a potsheard, so are burning lips, and an euill heart.
Fervent lips and a wicked heart are [like] an earthen vessel overlaid with silver dross.
24 He that hateth, will counterfaite with his lips, but in his heart he layeth vp deceite.
He that hateth dissembleth with his lips, but he layeth up deceit within him:
25 Though he speake fauourably, beleeue him not: for there are seuen abominations in his heart.
When he speaketh fair, 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.
Though [his] hatred cover itself with guile, his wickedness shall be openly shewed before the congregation.
27 He that diggeth a pit shall fall therein, and he that rolleth a stone, it shall returne vnto him.
Whoso diggeth a pit shall fall therein: and he that rolleth a stone, it shall return upon him.
28 A false tongue hateth the afflicted, and a flattering mouth causeth ruine.
A lying tongue hateth those whom it hath wounded; and a flattering mouth worketh ruin.
