Proverbs 26
1 As snow in summer, and as rain in harvest, so honour is not seemly for a fool.
As dew in harvest, and as rain in summer, so honour 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 birds and sparrows fly, so a curse shall not come upon any one without a cause.
3 A whip for the horse, a bridle for the ass, and a rod for the back of fools.
As a whip for a horse, and a goad for an ass, so [is] a rod for a simple nation.
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 become like him.
5 Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own eyes.
Yet answer a fool according to his folly, lest he seem 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 that sends a message by a foolish messenger procures for himself a reproach from his own ways.
7 The legs hang limp from the lame; so is a parable in the mouth of fools.
[As well] take away the motion of the legs, as transgression from the mouth of fools.
8 As a small stone in a heap of stones, so is he that giveth honour to a fool.
He that binds up a stone in a sling, is like one that gives glory to a fool.
9 As a thorn that cometh into the hand of a drunkard, so is a parable in the mouth of fools.
Thorns grow in the hand of a drunkard, and servitude in the hand of fools.
10 A master performeth all things; but he that stoppeth a fool is as one that stoppeth a flood.
All the flesh of fools endures much hardship; for their fury is brought to nought.
11 As a dog that returneth to his vomit, so is a fool that repeateth his folly.
As when a dog goes to his own vomit, and becomes abominable, so is fool who returns in his wickedness to his own sin. [There is a shame that brings sin: and there is a shame [that is] glory and grace.]
12 Seest thou a man wise in his own eyes? there is more hope of a fool than of him.
I have seen a man who seemed to himself to be wise; but a fool had more hope than he.
13 The sluggard saith: 'There is a lion in the way; yea, a lion is in the streets.'
A sluggard when sent on a journey says, [There is] a lion in the ways, and [there are] murderers in the streets.
14 The door is turning upon its hinges, and the sluggard is still upon his bed.
As a door turns on the hinge, so does a sluggard on his bed.
15 The sluggard burieth his hand in the dish; it wearieth him to bring it back to his mouth.
A sluggard having hid his hand in his bosom, will not be able to bring it up to his mouth.
16 The sluggard is wiser in his own eyes than seven men that give wise answer.
A sluggard seems to himself wiser than one who most satisfactorily brings back a message.
17 He that passeth by, and meddleth with strife not his own, is like one that taketh a dog by the ears.
As he that lays hold of a dog's tail, so is he that makes himself the champion of another's cause.
18 As a madman who casteth firebrands, arrows, and death;
As those who need correction put forth [fair] words to men, and he that first falls in with the proposal will be overthrown;
19 So is the man that deceiveth his neighbour, and saith: 'Am not I in sport?'
so are all that lay wait for their own friends, and when they are discovered, say, I did it in jest.
20 Where no wood is, the fire goeth out; and where there is no whisperer, contention ceaseth.
With much wood fire increases; but where there is not a double-minded man, strife ceases.
21 As coals are to burning coals, and wood to fire; so is a contentious man to kindle strife.
A hearth for coals, and wood for fire; and railing man for the tumult of 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 cunning knaves are soft; but they smite [even] to the inmost parts of the bowels.
23 Burning lips and a wicked heart are like an earthen vessel overlaid with silver dross.
Silver dishonestly given is to be considered as a potsherd: smooth lips cover a grievous heart.
24 He that hateth dissembleth with his lips, but he layeth up deceit within him.
A weeping enemy promises all things with his lips, but in his heart he contrives deceit.
25 When he speaketh fair, believe him not; for there are seven abominations in his heart.
Though [thine] enemy intreat thee with a loud voice, consent 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.
He that hides enmity frames deceit: but being easily discerned, exposes his own sins in the public assemblies.
27 Whoso diggeth a pit shall fall therein; and he that rolleth a stone, it shall return upon him.
He that digs a pit for his neighbour shall fall into it: and he that rolls a stone, rolls it upon himself.
28 A lying tongue hateth those that are crushed by it; and a flattering mouth worketh ruin.
A lying tongue hates the truth; and an unguarded mouth causes tumults.
