Proverbs 26
1 As snow in summer, and as rain in harvest, so honour is not seemly for a fool.
As snow is in summer, and as rain in harvest: so is honor not seemly to a fool.
2 As the wandering sparrow, as the flying swallow, so the curse that is causeless shall come home.
As the bird [cometh] to flit away, as the swallow, to fly off: so will an undeserved curse not come [to fulfillment].
3 A whip for the horse, a bridle for the ass, and a rod for the back of fools.
A whip is 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.
Do not answer a fool according to his folly, lest thou also become equal unto 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 eyes.
6 He that sendeth a message by the hand of a fool cutteth off his own feet, and drinketh damage.
He choppeth off the feet, and drinketh vexation, that sendeth important messages by the hand of a fool.
7 The legs hang limp from the lame; so is a parable in the mouth of fools.
Too feebly hang down the thighs on a lame man: 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 is the one that bindeth a stone fast in a sling, so is he that giveth 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 is come into the hand of a drunkard, so is a parable in the mouth of fools.
10 A master performeth all things; but he that stoppeth a fool is as one that stoppeth a flood.
A master injureth all things when he hireth a fool or hireth mere rovers.
11 As a dog that returneth to his vomit, so is a fool that repeateth his folly.
As a dog returneth to his vomit, so doth a fool repeat to act in his folly.
12 Seest thou a man wise in his own eyes? there is more hope of a fool than of him.
When thou seest a man wise in his own eyes, then is there 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 slothful saith, There is a leopard in the way: a lion is between the streets.
14 The door is turning upon its hinges, and the sluggard is still upon his bed.
As a door turneth upon its hinges, so doth the slothful upon his bed.
15 The sluggard burieth his hand in the dish; it wearieth him to bring it back to his mouth.
Hath the slothful hidden his hand in the dish, it wearieth him to bring it back again to his mouth.
16 The sluggard is wiser in his own eyes than seven men that give wise answer.
The slothful is wiser in his own eyes, than seven men that can give wise answers.
17 He that passeth by, and meddleth with strife not his own, is like one that taketh a dog by the ears.
As is one that taketh hold of a dog by the ears, so is he that passing by becometh excited about a dispute which concerneth him not.
18 As a madman who casteth firebrands, arrows, and death;
As one fatigueth himself shooting off 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 hath cheated his neighbor, and saith, Behold, I am only jesting.
20 Where no wood is, the fire goeth out; and where there is no whisperer, contention ceaseth.
Where there is no wood, the fire goeth out: so where there is no whisperer, strife is silenced.
21 As coals are to burning coals, and wood to fire; so is a contentious man to kindle strife.
As charcoals are added to burning coals, and wood to fire, so is a contentious man fitted to enkindle a dispute.
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 wounds, and they go down into the innermost chambers of the body.
23 Burning lips and a wicked heart are like an earthen vessel overlaid with silver dross.
Like silver dross laid over an earthen vessel, so are burning lips with a bad heart.
24 He that hateth dissembleth with his lips, but he layeth up deceit within him.
With his lips dissembleth he that hateth, and within himself layeth he up deceit:
25 When he speaketh fair, believe him not; for there are seven abominations in his heart.
Though he make his voice sound ever so 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.
If one's hatred be covered by deception, then shall be laid bare his wickedness before a [whole] assembly.
27 Whoso diggeth a pit shall fall therein; and he that rolleth a stone, it shall return upon him.
Whoso diggeth a pit will fall therein; and upon him that rolleth a stone, will it return.
28 A lying tongue hateth those that are crushed by it; and a flattering mouth worketh ruin.
A lying tongue hateth those that are crushed by it; and a flattering mouth prepareth [others'] downfall.
