Proverbs 26
1 As snow in summer, and as rain in harvest, so honour is not seemly for a fool.
As snow in summer, and as rain in harvest, so honor is not seemly for a fool.
2 As the wandering sparrow, as the flying swallow, so the curse that is causeless shall come home.
As the sparrow in her wandering, as the swallow in her flying, so the curse that is causeless does not alight.
3 A whip for the horse, a bridle for the ass, and a rod for the back of fools.
A whip for the horse, a bridle for the donkey, and a rod for the back of fools.
4 Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest thou also be like unto him.
Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest thou also be like to him.
5 Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own eyes.
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 fool cutteth off his own feet, and drinketh damage.
He who sends a message by the hand of a fool cuts off the feet, and drinks injury.
7 The legs hang limp from the lame; so is a parable in the mouth of fools.
The legs of a lame man hang loose. So is a proverb in the mouth of fools.
8 As a small stone in a heap of stones, so is he that giveth honour to a fool.
As he who binds a stone in a sling, so is he who gives honor to a fool.
9 As a thorn that cometh into the hand of a drunkard, so is a parable in the mouth of fools.
As a thorn that goes up into the hand of a drunkard, so is a proverb in the mouth of fools.
10 A master performeth all things; but he that stoppeth a fool is as one that stoppeth a flood.
As an archer who wounds all, so is he who hires a fool, and he who hires those who pass by.
11 As a dog that returneth to his vomit, so is a fool that repeateth his folly.
As a dog who returns to his vomit, is a fool who repeats his folly.
12 Seest thou a man wise in his own eyes? there is more hope of a fool than of him.
See thou a man wise in his own conceit? There is more hope for a fool than of him.
13 The sluggard saith: 'There is a lion in the way; yea, a lion is in the streets.'
The sluggard says, There is a lion in the way; a lion is in the streets.
14 The door is turning upon its hinges, and the sluggard is still upon his bed.
The door turns upon its hinges, so does the sluggard upon his bed.
15 The sluggard burieth his hand in the dish; it wearieth him to bring it back to his mouth.
The sluggard buries his hand in the dish. It wearies him to bring it again to his mouth.
16 The sluggard is wiser in his own eyes than seven men that give wise answer.
The sluggard is wiser in his own conceit than seven men who can render a reason.
17 He that passeth by, and meddleth with strife not his own, is like one that taketh a dog by the ears.
He who passes by, and meddles with strife not his, is like he who takes a dog by the ears.
18 As a madman who casteth firebrands, arrows, and death;
As a madman who casts firebrands, arrows, and death,
19 So is the man that deceiveth his neighbour, and saith: 'Am not I in sport?'
so is the man who deceives his neighbor, and says, Am I not in sport?
20 Where no wood is, the fire goeth out; and where there is no whisperer, contention ceaseth.
For lack of wood the fire goes out, and where there is no whisperer, contention ceases.
21 As coals are to burning coals, and wood to fire; so is a contentious man to kindle strife.
As coals are to hot embers, and wood to fire, so is a contentious man to inflame strife.
22 The words of a whisperer are as dainty morsels, and they go down into the innermost parts of the body.
The words of a whisperer are as dainty morsels, and they go down into the innermost parts.
23 Burning lips and a wicked heart are like an earthen vessel overlaid with silver dross.
Fervent lips and a wicked heart are an earthen vessel overlaid with silver dross.
24 He that hateth dissembleth with his lips, but he layeth up deceit within him.
He who hates masquerades with his lips, but he lays up deceit within him.
25 When he speaketh fair, believe him not; for there are seven abominations in his heart.
When he speaks graciously, believe him not, for there are seven abominations in his heart.
26 Though his hatred be concealed with deceit, his wickedness shall be revealed before the congregation.
Though his hatred cover itself with guile, his wickedness shall be openly shown before the assembly.
27 Whoso diggeth a pit shall fall therein; and he that rolleth a stone, it shall return upon him.
He who digs a pit shall fall in it, and he who rolls a stone, it shall return upon him.
28 A lying tongue hateth those that are crushed by it; and a flattering mouth worketh ruin.
A lying tongue hates those whom it has wounded, and a flattering mouth works ruin.
