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 bird by wandering, as the swallow by flying, so the curse causeless shall not come.
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 ass, and a rod for the fool’s back.
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 you 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 that sends a message by the hand of a fool cuts off the feet, and drinks damage.
7 The legs hang limp from the lame; so is a parable in the mouth of fools.
The legs of the lame are not equal: so is a parable 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 that binds a stone in a sling, so is he that 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 goes up into the hand of a drunkard, so is a parable in the mouths of fools.
10 A master performeth all things; but he that stoppeth a fool is as one that stoppeth a flood.
The great God that formed all things both rewards the fool, and rewards transgressors.
11 As a dog that returneth to his vomit, so is a fool that repeateth his folly.
As a dog returns to his vomit, so a fool returns to his folly.
12 Seest thou a man wise in his own eyes? there is more hope of a fool than of him.
See you a man wise in his own conceit? there is more hope of a fool than of him.
13 The sluggard saith: 'There is a lion in the way; yea, a lion is in the streets.'
The slothful man 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.
As the door turns on his hinges, so does the slothful on his bed.
15 The sluggard burieth his hand in the dish; it wearieth him to bring it back to his mouth.
The slothful hides his hand in his bosom; it grieves 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 that 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 that passes by, and meddles with strife belonging not to him, is like one that takes a dog by the ears.
18 As a madman who casteth firebrands, arrows, and death;
As a mad man 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 that deceives his neighbor, and says, Am not I in sport?
20 Where no wood is, the fire goeth out; and where there is no whisperer, contention ceaseth.
Where no wood is, there the fire goes out: so where there is no talebearer, the strife ceases.
21 As coals are to burning coals, and wood to fire; so is a contentious man to kindle strife.
As coals are to burning coals, and wood to fire; so is a contentious man to kindle 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 talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.
23 Burning lips and a wicked heart are like an earthen vessel overlaid with silver dross.
Burning lips and a wicked heart are like a potsherd covered with silver dross.
24 He that hateth dissembleth with his lips, but he layeth up deceit within him.
He that hates dissembles with his lips, and lays up deceit within him;
25 When he speaketh fair, believe him not; for there are seven abominations in his heart.
When he speaks fair, 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.
Whose hatred is covered by deceit, his wickedness shall be showed before the whole congregation.
27 Whoso diggeth a pit shall fall therein; and he that rolleth a stone, it shall return upon him.
Whoever digs a pit shall fall therein: and he that rolls a stone, it will return on him.
28 A lying tongue hateth those that are crushed by it; and a flattering mouth worketh ruin.
A lying tongue hates those that are afflicted by it; and a flattering mouth works ruin.
