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 honour is not proper 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 donkey, 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 thou also 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 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 sendeth a message by the hand of a fool cutteth off the feet, and drinketh violence.
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 bindeth a stone in a sling, so is he that giveth honour 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 goeth up 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.
The great God that formed all things both rewardeth the fool, and rewardeth transgressors.
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 a fool returneth to his folly.
12 Seest thou a man wise in his own eyes? there is more hope of a fool than of him.
Seest thou 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 saith, 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 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.
The slothful hideth his hand in his bosom; it grieveth 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 passeth by, and meddleth with strife belonging not to him, is like one that taketh a dog by the ears.
18 As a madman who casteth firebrands, arrows, and death;
As a mad man who casteth 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 deceiveth his neighbour, and saith, 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 goeth out: so where there is no talebearer, the strife ceaseth.
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 hateth disguiseth with his lips, and layeth up deceit within him;
25 When he speaketh fair, believe him not; for there are seven abominations in his heart.
When he speaketh kindly, 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 revealed before the whole congregation.
27 Whoso diggeth a pit shall fall therein; and he that rolleth a stone, it shall return upon him.
Whoever diggeth a pit shall fall into it: and he that rolleth a stone, it will return upon him.
28 A lying tongue hateth those that are crushed by it; and a flattering mouth worketh ruin.
A lying tongue hateth those that are afflicted by it; and a flattering mouth worketh ruin.
