Proverbs 26
1 As snow in summer, and as rain in harvest, so honour is not seemly for a fool.
Like snow in summer and rain at harvest, honor does not befit a fool.
2 As the wandering sparrow, as the flying swallow, so the curse that is causeless shall come home.
Like a fluttering sparrow or darting swallow, an undeserved curse does not come to rest.
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 backs of fools!
4 Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest thou also be like unto him.
Do not answer a fool according to his folly, or you yourself will be like 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 become wise in his own eyes.
6 He that sendeth a message by the hand of a fool cutteth off his own feet, and drinketh damage.
Like cutting off one’s own feet or drinking violence is the sending of a message by the hand of a fool.
7 The legs hang limp from the lame; so is a parable in the mouth of fools.
Like lame legs hanging limp is a proverb in the mouth of a fool.
8 As a small stone in a heap of stones, so is he that giveth honour to a fool.
Like binding a stone into a sling is the giving of 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.
Like a thorn that falls into the hand of a drunkard is a proverb in the mouth of a fool.
10 A master performeth all things; but he that stoppeth a fool is as one that stoppeth a flood.
Like an archer who wounds at random is he who hires a fool or passerby.
11 As a dog that returneth to his vomit, so is a fool that repeateth his folly.
As a dog returns to its vomit, so a fool repeats his folly.
12 Seest thou a man wise in his own eyes? there is more hope of a fool than of him.
Do you see a man who is wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him.
13 The sluggard saith: 'There is a lion in the way; yea, a lion is in the streets.'
The slacker says, “A lion is in the road! A fierce lion roams the public square!”
14 The door is turning upon its hinges, and the sluggard is still upon his bed.
As a door turns on its hinges, so the slacker turns on his bed.
15 The sluggard burieth his hand in the dish; it wearieth him to bring it back to his mouth.
The slacker buries his hand in the dish; it wearies him to bring it back to his mouth.
16 The sluggard is wiser in his own eyes than seven men that give wise answer.
The slacker is wiser in his own eyes than seven men who answer discreetly.
17 He that passeth by, and meddleth with strife not his own, is like one that taketh a dog by the ears.
Like one who grabs a dog by the ears is a passerby who meddles in a quarrel not his own.
18 As a madman who casteth firebrands, arrows, and death;
Like a madman shooting firebrands and deadly arrows,
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, “I was only joking!”
20 Where no wood is, the fire goeth out; and where there is no whisperer, contention ceaseth.
Without wood, a fire goes out; without gossip, a conflict ceases.
21 As coals are to burning coals, and wood to fire; so is a contentious man to kindle strife.
Like charcoal for embers and wood for fire, so is a quarrelsome man for kindling 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 gossip are like choice morsels that go down into the inmost being.
23 Burning lips and a wicked heart are like an earthen vessel overlaid with silver dross.
Like glaze covering an earthen vessel are burning lips and a wicked heart.
24 He that hateth dissembleth with his lips, but he layeth up deceit within him.
A hateful man disguises himself with his speech, but he lays up deceit in his heart.
25 When he speaketh fair, believe him not; for there are seven abominations in his heart.
When he speaks graciously, do not believe him, for seven abominations fill his heart.
26 Though his hatred be concealed with deceit, his wickedness shall be revealed before the congregation.
Though his hatred is concealed by deception, his wickedness will be exposed in 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 will fall into it, and he who rolls a stone will have it roll back on him.
28 A lying tongue hateth those that are crushed by it; and a flattering mouth worketh ruin.
A lying tongue hates those it crushes, and a flattering mouth causes ruin.
