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.
Like snow in summer or rain in harvest, so a fool does not deserve honor.
2 As the sparowe by flying, and the swallow by flying escape, so the curse that is causeles, shall not come.
As the sparrow flitters and the swallow darts when they fly, so an undeserved curse does not alight.
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 is for the donkey and a rod is for the back of fools.
4 Answer not a foole according to his foolishnes, least thou also be like him.
Do not answer a fool according to his folly, or you will become like him.
5 Answere a foole according to his foolishnes, least he be wise in his owne conceite.
Answer a fool and join in on his folly, so he will not become 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.
Whoever sends a message by the hand of a fool cuts off his own feet and drinks violence.
7 As they that lift vp the legs of the lame, so is a parable in a fooles mouth.
Like the legs of a paralytic which hang down is a proverb 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.
Like tying a stone in a sling is giving 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.
Like a thorn that goes into the hand of a drunkard is a proverb in the mouth of fools.
10 The excellent that formed all things, both rewardeth the foole and rewardeth the transgressers.
Like an archer who wounds all those around him is one who hires a fool or hires anyone who passes by.
11 As a dog turneth againe to his owne vomit, so a foole turneth to his foolishnes.
As a dog returns to his own vomit, so is a fool who repeats his folly.
12 Seest thou a man wise in his owne conceite? more hope is of a foole then of him.
Do you see someone who is wise in his own eyes? There is 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 lazy person says, “There is a lion on the road! There is a lion between the open places!”
14 As the doore turneth vpon his hinges, so doeth the slouthfull man vpon his bed.
As the door turns on its hinges, so is the lazy person 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 person puts his hand into the dish and yet he has no strength to lift it up to his mouth.
16 The sluggard is wiser in his owne conceite, then seuen men that can render a reason.
The lazy person is wiser in his own eyes than seven men who respond with good judgment.
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.
Like one who takes hold of the ears of a dog, is a passerby who becomes angry at a dispute that is not his own.
18 As he that faineth himselfe mad, casteth fire brands, arrowes, and mortall things,
Like a madman who shoots burning arrows,
19 So dealeth the deceitfull man with his friend and sayth, Am not I in sport?
is the one who deceives his neighbor and says, “Was I not telling a joke?”
20 Without wood the fire is quenched, and without a talebearer strife ceaseth.
For lack of wood, the fire goes out; and where there is no gossiper quarreling ceases.
21 As ye cole maketh burning coles, and wood a fire, so the contentious man is apt to kindle strife.
As charcoal is to burning coals and wood is to fire, so is a quarrelsome person for kindling 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 gossip are like delicious morsels; they go down into the inner parts of the body.
23 As siluer drosse ouerlayde vpon a potsheard, so are burning lips, and an euill heart.
Like the glaze overlaying an earthen vessel so are burning lips and an evil heart.
24 He that hateth, will counterfaite with his lips, but in his heart he layeth vp deceite.
One who hates others disguises his feelings with his lips and he lays up deceit within himself.
25 Though he speake fauourably, beleeue him not: for there are seuen abominations in his heart.
He will speak graciously, but do not believe him, 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 is covered with deception, his wickedness will be exposed 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 the stone will roll back on the one who pushed it.
28 A false tongue hateth the afflicted, and a flattering mouth causeth ruine.
A lying tongue hates the people it crushes and a flattering mouth brings about ruin.
